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The differences between special library librarians and technical services 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 special library librarian and a technical services librarian. Additionally, a special library librarian has an average salary of $52,343, which is higher than the $50,657 average annual salary of a technical services librarian.
The top three skills for a special library librarian include library services, professional development and library resources. The most important skills for a technical services librarian are library services, collection development, and library resources.
| Special Library Librarian | Technical Services Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $52,343 | $50,657 |
| Hourly rate | $25.16 | $24.35 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 12,477 | 118,696 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A special library librarian is responsible for the library which contains specialized materials for commercial and government organizations. They select and order library books and protect audio-video materials, periodical journals, and magazines from damage. They are responsible for locating, filing, and cataloguing.
A technical services librarian is responsible for overseeing the technical and circulation services at a library. Typical duties for this role include supervising the technical and circulation staff, working closely with other library services, and directing the activities on library automation. In addition, you will make technical decisions involving the use and management of bibliographic records based on accepted standards. As a technical services librarian, it is also your responsibility to assist in the preparation of the library's annual budget and contribute to collection and acquisition development initiatives.
Special library librarians and technical services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Library Librarian | Technical Services Librarian | |
| Average salary | $52,343 | $50,657 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $72,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Charlottesville, VA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Northern California Power Agency | Yale University |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between a special library librarian and a technical services librarian in terms of educational background:
| Special Library Librarian | Technical Services Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Library Science | Library Science |
| Most common college | University of Maryland - College Park | New York University |
Here are the differences between special library librarians' and technical services librarians' demographics:
| Special Library Librarian | Technical Services Librarian | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6% | Male, 32.3% Female, 67.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |