School librarian vs library technician

The differences between school 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 school librarian, becoming a library technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a school librarian has an average salary of $51,202, which is higher than the $37,757 average annual salary of a library technician.

The top three skills for a school librarian include library services, library resources and library materials. The most important skills for a library technician are library services, data entry, and circulation desk.

School librarian vs library technician overview

	School Librarian	Library Technician
Yearly salary	$51,202	$37,757
Hourly rate	$24.62	$18.15
Growth rate	6%	-4%
Number of jobs	20,037	24,941
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	48	50
Years of experience	2	12

School librarian vs library technician salary

School librarians and library technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	School Librarian	Library Technician
Average salary	$51,202	$37,757
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $75,000	Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Sacramento, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Poly Prep Country Day School	Syracuse University
Best paying industry	Education	Government

Differences between school librarian and library technician education

There are a few differences between a school librarian and a library technician in terms of educational background:

	School Librarian	Library Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Library Science	Business
Most common college	University of Maryland - College Park	New York University

School librarian vs library technician demographics

Here are the differences between school librarians' and library technicians' demographics:

	School Librarian	Library Technician
Average age	48	50
Gender ratio	Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7%	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, 77.3% 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%

Differences between school librarian and library technician duties and responsibilities

School librarian example responsibilities.

Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
Volunteer to host events at annual school carnival and other PTA and school events.
Guide them in researching through a non fiction books, encyclopedia entry, and the elibrary BigChalk database.
Institute the use of computers in the library for cataloging, online searching, reference, bibliographies, and administrative functions.
Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.

Library technician example responsibilities.

Cataloge library materials using OCLC to be add to collection, and repair damaged materials.
Process books and serials in Sydney (ILS).
Enter new patron records into the ILS.
Process incoming serials and maintain serial records and archives.
Work with supervisors, coworkers, and patrons to resolve questions and troubleshoot both electronic and physical item requests.
Install, configure, troubleshoot laser scanners, RFID readers and antennas, sensors, detectors, actuators, payment systems.

School librarian vs library technician skills

Common school librarian skills

Library Services, 11%
Library Resources, 9%
Library Materials, 9%
Library Programs, 7%
Collection Development, 6%
Library Collection, 5%

Common library technician skills

Library Services, 6%
Data Entry, 6%
Circulation Desk, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
Library System, 4%
Library Patrons, 4%

School Librarian vs. similar jobs

School Librarian related careers

School Librarian related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Education, Training, and Library Industry
School Librarian
School Librarian vs Library Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse education, training, and library jobs