Reference archivist vs reference librarian

The differences between reference archivists and reference librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a reference archivist, becoming a reference librarian takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a reference librarian has an average salary of $50,409, which is higher than the $34,626 average annual salary of a reference archivist.

The top three skills for a reference archivist include reference services, and . The most important skills for a reference librarian are reference services, library patrons, and collection development.

Reference archivist vs reference librarian overview

	Reference Archivist	Reference Librarian
Yearly salary	$34,626	$50,409
Hourly rate	$16.65	$24.24
Growth rate	12%	6%
Number of jobs	155	1,058
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	44	48
Years of experience	4	2

Reference archivist vs reference librarian salary

Reference archivists and reference librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Reference Archivist	Reference Librarian
Average salary	$34,626	$50,409
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $52,000	Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	-	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Yale University
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between reference archivist and reference librarian education

There are a few differences between a reference archivist and a reference librarian in terms of educational background:

	Reference Archivist	Reference Librarian
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	History	Library Science
Most common college	New York University	New York University

Reference archivist vs reference librarian demographics

Here are the differences between reference archivists' and reference librarians' demographics:

	Reference Archivist	Reference Librarian
Average age	44	48
Gender ratio	Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0%	Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 5.2% Asian, 3.5% White, 81.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	13%	16%

Differences between reference archivist and reference librarian duties and responsibilities

Reference archivist example responsibilities.

Create correspondences/completed FDA forms/maintain submission calendars/review submission documents.
Maintain assign fiction and nonfiction collections.

Reference librarian example responsibilities.

Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Coordinate inter-library loan service, using OCLC searches to loan and borrow books and periodicals.
Perform reference and readers' advisory for patrons and staff via telephone, IM, email, and in person.
Perform copy-cataloging operations using OCLC database and online databases.
Maintain responsibility for collection management of the adult non-fiction collection.
Instigate student-librarian relationships and increase library productivity by regularly mentoring students in legal research, writing, and study methods.

Reference archivist vs reference librarian skills

Common reference archivist skills

Reference Services, 100%

Common reference librarian skills

Reference Services, 11%
Library Patrons, 9%
Collection Development, 9%
Library Services, 7%
Research Guides, 6%
Reference Desk, 4%

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Reference Archivist vs Reference Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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