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Medical librarian vs law librarian

The differences between medical librarians and law librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a medical librarian and a law librarian. Additionally, a medical librarian has an average salary of $54,614, which is higher than the $51,708 average annual salary of a law librarian.

The top three skills for a medical librarian include patient care, health system and library resources. The most important skills for a law librarian are library services, collection development, and reference services.

Medical librarian vs law librarian overview

Medical LibrarianLaw Librarian
Yearly salary$54,614$51,708
Hourly rate$26.26$24.86
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs45,2621,813
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Medical librarian vs law librarian salary

Medical librarians and law librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical LibrarianLaw Librarian
Average salary$54,614$51,708
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $78,000Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City-Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Northeastern University
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between medical librarian and law librarian education

There are a few differences between a medical librarian and a law librarian in terms of educational background:

Medical LibrarianLaw Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceHistory
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Medical librarian vs law librarian demographics

Here are the differences between medical librarians' and law librarians' demographics:

Medical LibrarianLaw Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 19.6% Female, 80.4%Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between medical librarian and law librarian duties and responsibilities

Medical librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage document delivery via Docline and consortia memberships.
  • Evaluate and execute no-cost online library system for cataloging and circulating library materials.
  • Develop organization's first set of library policies and procedures for acquiring, cataloging and lending materials and program development.
  • Create and maintain the department SharePoint site.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.

Law librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Supervise cataloging and processing of all materials.
  • Perform library technical services, including cataloging, processing, and acquisitions.
  • Review monthly Lexis and Westlaw usage to identify users needing additional training in cost-effective research techniques.
  • Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

Medical librarian vs law librarian skills

Common medical librarian skills
  • Patient Care, 22%
  • Health System, 13%
  • Library Resources, 10%
  • Collection Development, 8%
  • Electronic Resources, 8%
  • Medical Literature, 5%
Common law librarian skills
  • Library Services, 11%
  • Collection Development, 9%
  • Reference Services, 9%
  • Research Services, 8%
  • Legal Resources, 6%
  • Legal Reference, 6%

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