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Job outlook for student library assistants in the United States
Student library assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected student library assistant job growth rate is -4% from 2018-2028.
About -6,400 new jobs for student library assistants are projected over the next decade.
Student library assistant salaries have increased 14% for student library assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 46,031 student library assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 11,257 active student library assistant job openings in the US.
The average student library assistant salary is $25,083.
Are student library assistant jobs in demand?
Student library assistant job and salary trends over time
Student library assistant jobs over time
Student library assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 46,031 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 49,603 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 50,395 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 52,190 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 55,223 | 0.02% |
Average student library assistant salary over time
Student library assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,083 | $12.06 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $24,000 | $11.54 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $23,136 | $11.12 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $22,534 | $10.83 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $22,018 | $10.59 | +3.0% |
Student library assistant jobs by state
Most common states for student library assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 161 | 22% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 46 | 5% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 37 | 5% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 27 | 5% |
| 5 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 134 | 4% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 23 | 4% |
| 7 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 177 | 3% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 176 | 3% |
| 9 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 75 | 3% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 65 | 3% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 36 | 3% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 31 | 3% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 21 | 3% |
| 14 | New York | 19,849,399 | 451 | 2% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 152 | 2% |
| 16 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 89 | 2% |
| 17 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 67 | 2% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 62 | 2% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 29 | 2% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 25 | 2% |
Most common cities for student library assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athens | 1 | 4% | $22,980 |
| 2 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $26,192 |
Student Library Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of student library assistant experts
Texas Woman's University
Marshall University
The University of Iowa
Ling Hwey Jeng
Professor and the Director of School of Library and Information StudiesTexas Woman's University
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Student Library Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Ling Hwey Jeng: The biggest revelation, since the beginning of the pandemic, is that librarians provide services and contribute to the local community with or without the physical building of libraries. This is evident in communities across the country and all over the world. As soon as many cities went into lock-down in March 2020, librarians promptly took on the role of second responders by actively joining the crisis response efforts. These include, for example, producing PPE's using their 3D printers, expanding virtual library services for residents stuck at home, providing instructional supports for K-12 virtual learning, and enhancing wi-fi services to those without broadband connectivity at home.
What experience really stands out on Student Library Assistant resumes?
Kacy Lovelace: While it might seem like an obvious answer, make sure that you have experience working in a library (or information center)! Student experience, such as graduate assistantships, internships, and practicums, are invaluable because they let you experience the day-to-day operations of a library department and, to an extent, the library as a whole.
This experience shows prospective employees that you are familiar with library operations and probably enjoy working in a library. If you don't have library experience, start looking for it now! Check with your advisor, campus libraries, or local public libraries for volunteer or entry-level positions to gain you the necessary hands-on library experience.
Additionally, connect the experience that you do have to library and information science. Do you have experience with academic writing or editing experience? Show how these experiences are beneficial to positions that you apply for in library science.
What Student Library Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kacy Lovelace: Consider skills that directly apply to the job that you want in the future. Get creative with this! Improve your communication skills, cross-cultural understanding by working abroad. The hospitality industry offers many opportunities for improving these valuable skills while also teaching listening skills, time management skills, and collaboration skills. If working abroad is not an option, take a language immersion course (online or in-person) and increase your ability to communicate with patrons and colleagues and your attractiveness to potential employers.
Lindsay Mattock
Associate Director, Associate ProfessorThe University of Iowa
School of Library and Information Science
What experience really stands out on Student Library Assistant resumes?
Lindsay Mattock: For students in Library Science, building a set of practical experiences to complement course work is critical. I always encourage students to consider listing service-learning experiences from their coursework alongside internships, practicum, volunteer positions, and professional posts. Staying active in professional organizations is another way to gain valuable experience and network with professionals in the field.