Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Library technicians support the daily operations of libraries and help connect patrons with resources and services. Nationally, this occupation employs about 79,000 people, indicating a sizable workforce. The role typically requires a postsecondary nondegree award, making it accessible to people who want education beyond high school without committing to a full degree program. Strong interpersonal and customer service skills are important, along with comfort using computers and information technology. The work can also call for adaptability, physical stamina, and fine motor skills. Creativity, innovation, and solid writing, reading, speaking, and listening abilities can further strengthen performance. Although national employment is projected to decline, there are still an estimated 13,000 annual openings, which reflects ongoing turnover and replacement needs. People interested in roles similar to library technicians might also consider related paths such as library assistants, clerical; secretaries and administrative assistants; file clerks; and other office and administrative support positions.
Library technicians earn a national median annual salary of $39,970. This is the midpoint of earnings, meaning half of workers earn more and half earn less. Pay varies across locations, with several states and metro areas offering higher median salaries. For example, median pay in California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington is higher than the national median, with Washington showing a state median of $62,570. At the metro level, areas such as San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA show some of the highest listed medians, above $62,000. These figures suggest that relocating or targeting specific regions may improve earning potential. When exploring this career, it can be helpful to compare local salaries with the national median to understand how pay expectations line up with your preferred location and cost of living.
Library technicians have national employment of about 79,000 and a projected employment growth rate of -6.8%. This indicates a decline in overall jobs over the projection period. Despite this negative growth rate, there are still an estimated 13,000 annual openings. These openings can arise from the need to replace workers who change occupations, retire, or leave the labor force, even as overall employment levels decrease. People considering this field should recognize that, while the occupation is not projected to grow, there is ongoing hiring activity. Comparing this path with similar occupations—such as library assistants, clerical; secretaries and administrative assistants; file clerks; and office clerks, general—can help you evaluate how this outlook fits into your broader career plans. Monitoring local demand and openings in your region can also be important, since conditions may vary by area even when the national projection shows decline.
Location plays a significant role in opportunities and pay for library technicians. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington have some of the strongest opportunity scores listed. Washington stands out for its median salary of $62,570, while California combines relatively high pay ($53,260) with the largest employment figure in this group at 7,190. Massachusetts and New York also show median salaries around or above $50,000 with smaller but notable employment levels. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ lead in opportunity scores, both above 77, with median salaries just over $52,000 in New York and around $62,550 in San Jose. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports one of the highest median salaries at $63,690. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also feature higher median pay and substantial employment, offering additional regional options to explore.
Library technicians typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, which is education beyond high school but not a full degree program. This requirement may appeal to those who want focused training and a quicker path into the workforce. Success in this occupation draws on a broad mix of skills. Interpersonal and customer service skills support interactions with patrons and colleagues. Comfort with computers and information technology is important, reflecting the tools and systems often used in library settings. Adaptability, physical strength and stamina, and fine motor skills can also be relevant to daily tasks. Project management abilities may help with organizing work and handling multiple priorities. Creativity and innovation, along with strong writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills, round out the profile. People who develop this combination of education and skills can be better prepared to pursue opportunities as library technicians, or consider related roles in library support and office or administrative work.
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