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The differences between research librarians and library technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a research librarian, becoming a library technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a research librarian has an average salary of $51,263, which is higher than the $37,757 average annual salary of a library technician.
The top three skills for a research librarian include research support, library services and collection development. The most important skills for a library technician are library services, data entry, and circulation desk.
| Research Librarian | Library Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,263 | $37,757 |
| Hourly rate | $24.65 | $18.15 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 45,828 | 24,941 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 48 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
The primary duty of a research librarian is to assist scholars, students, and other researchers in finding books and other study materials. Research librarians handle integrated library systems such as serials control, acquisitions, and cataloging. They create and maintain the library's intranet portal using Microsoft SharePoint. Part of their job is to instruct and assist staff on the proper usage of intranet catalogs and other research databases. They establish a partnership with the other librarians to design and provide information and library literacy instruction to the student body.
A library technician is responsible for sorting books and other catalogs to their appropriate shelf for easy and accurate searching. Library technicians manage and monitor the materials borrowed from the facility, keeping a record of the borrower's information and updating details on the library's database. They also assist the visitors with their inquiries and concerns, leading them to the appropriate area of their needs, and remind everyone of the policies and regulations inside the library.
Research librarians and library technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Librarian | Library Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,263 | $37,757 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $74,000 | Between $29,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Harvard University | Syracuse University |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between a research librarian and a library technician in terms of educational background:
| Research Librarian | Library Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Library Science | Business |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between research librarians' and library technicians' demographics:
| Research Librarian | Library Technician | |
| Average age | 48 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3% | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 11% |