Library Assistants, Clerical Salary
Library Assistants, Clerical earn a median $36,910 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
What library assistants, clerical do
Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.4% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 12,300
Employment of library assistants, clerical is projected to shrink 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 12,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Library Assistants, Clerical take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,249
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,288
- Medicare (1.45%)$535
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,837
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,730 | $13.33 | $24,446 |
| 25th percentile | $31,820 | $15.30 | $27,747 |
| Median (50th) | $36,910 | $17.75 | $31,837 |
| 75th percentile | $45,620 | $21.93 | $38,836 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,310 | $26.59 | $46,622 |
Best cities for library assistants, clerical (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,770 | $39,026 | $34,365 | 3,840 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $35,160 | $28,835 | $27,835 | 4,420 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $37,860 | $31,153 | $27,676 | 7,080 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $47,770
- New York, NY — $37,860
- Chicago, IL — $35,160
Library Assistants, Clerical salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,390 | +12.3% | $47,486 | $37,310 – $78,570 | 100 |
| California | $47,860 | +1.8% | $39,092 | $36,920 – $68,810 | 11,170 |
| Washington | $47,540 | +3.4% | $40,378 | $37,450 – $61,590 | 2,810 |
| Nevada | $46,620 | +3.0% | $39,639 | $32,000 – $59,740 | 660 |
| Maryland | $45,910 | +15.0% | $37,252 | $32,130 – $61,460 | 730 |
| Alaska | $44,800 | −3.6% | $38,177 | $32,130 – $62,890 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $42,520 | +6.2% | $34,439 | $32,370 – $59,940 | 2,840 |
| Oregon | $42,270 | +5.4% | $33,275 | $33,160 – $50,560 | 1,090 |
| Minnesota | $39,970 | +8.0% | $32,976 | $28,850 – $50,510 | 1,770 |
| New Jersey | $39,780 | +4.7% | $33,468 | $32,750 – $56,430 | 3,120 |
| Wisconsin | $39,610 | +3.8% | $33,045 | $30,740 – $51,080 | 1,570 |
| Connecticut | $39,100 | +6.0% | $32,762 | $34,010 – $58,420 | 1,810 |
| Montana | $39,070 | +21.1% | $32,493 | $27,190 – $45,010 | 160 |
| Arizona | $38,110 | +2.9% | $32,057 | $33,270 – $48,480 | 1,560 |
| Wyoming | $38,040 | +5.1% | $32,745 | $28,350 – $42,590 | — |
| Virginia | $38,020 | +2.4% | $31,357 | $29,250 – $54,180 | 2,170 |
| Maine | $37,890 | +1.8% | $31,219 | $32,970 – $48,540 | 540 |
| Florida | $37,880 | +8.8% | $32,617 | $29,420 – $45,960 | 3,630 |
| Tennessee | $37,410 | +14.3% | $32,239 | $24,180 – $54,230 | 1,110 |
| New Hampshire | $37,400 | +1.1% | $32,231 | $27,800 – $48,220 | 990 |
| Hawaii | $37,110 | +5.0% | $30,624 | $30,040 – $46,920 | 370 |
| Delaware | $37,090 | +3.0% | $30,600 | $31,200 – $39,700 | 270 |
| Rhode Island | $36,610 | +4.4% | $30,840 | $31,200 – $49,550 | 510 |
| Vermont | $36,430 | +1.1% | $30,665 | $29,190 – $49,050 | 350 |
| Georgia | $36,410 | +7.4% | $30,169 | $28,460 – $49,640 | 610 |
| Colorado | $36,130 | +3.0% | $30,329 | $30,800 – $47,730 | 470 |
| New York | $35,990 | −0.5% | $29,752 | $32,610 – $57,160 | 8,010 |
| New Mexico | $35,250 | +6.2% | $29,955 | $30,690 – $41,600 | 150 |
| Illinois | $34,680 | +7.2% | $28,474 | $31,200 – $44,520 | 6,620 |
| North Carolina | $34,550 | +7.1% | $29,071 | $25,040 – $45,690 | 1,330 |
| North Dakota | $34,530 | +22.9% | $29,925 | $21,200 – $53,000 | 60 |
| Michigan | $34,510 | +2.9% | $28,693 | $27,170 – $44,060 | 3,470 |
| South Carolina | $33,980 | +7.1% | $28,601 | $23,980 – $44,090 | 960 |
| Idaho | $33,960 | +12.5% | $28,775 | $21,990 – $43,390 | 920 |
| Missouri | $33,760 | +14.2% | $28,657 | $28,600 – $40,780 | 1,610 |
| Kentucky | $33,690 | +32.0% | $28,188 | $25,720 – $43,630 | 1,050 |
| Ohio | $33,480 | +6.8% | $28,943 | $23,070 – $46,010 | 5,240 |
| Utah | $32,690 | −2.3% | $27,941 | $24,030 – $45,670 | 820 |
| Kansas | $31,550 | +5.7% | $26,554 | $20,800 – $41,180 | 1,380 |
| Texas | $31,200 | +8.5% | $27,249 | $21,900 – $39,940 | 1,600 |
| Arkansas | $31,100 | +7.5% | $26,169 | $24,120 – $34,930 | 390 |
| West Virginia | $30,800 | +17.1% | $26,135 | $26,380 – $36,840 | 450 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,690 | +2.2% | $25,897 | $22,110 – $45,930 | 3,930 |
| Oklahoma | $29,640 | −1.4% | $25,207 | $19,810 – $40,250 | 800 |
| Louisiana | $29,620 | +3.9% | $25,477 | $19,680 – $45,070 | 720 |
| Iowa | $29,480 | +2.7% | $25,399 | $21,950 – $45,310 | 1,700 |
| Indiana | $28,900 | +0.3% | $24,578 | $21,170 – $37,240 | 1,830 |
| Mississippi | $28,110 | +26.4% | $24,366 | $18,120 – $36,920 | 440 |
| Nebraska | $28,080 | +4.2% | $24,278 | $28,080 – $37,380 | 310 |
| Alabama | $27,530 | +0.8% | $23,169 | $21,700 – $38,110 | 900 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptionist and Information Clerk | $38,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.7% |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $35,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.8% |
| File Clerk | $43,600 | High school diploma or equivalent | -15.8% |
| Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk | $44,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.3% |
| Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan | $45,920 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.4% |
| Order Clerk | $46,170 | Some college, no degree | -17.5% |
| Correspondence Clerk | $46,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| New Accounts Clerk | $47,670 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.5% |
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | $48,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a library assistants, clerical make?
The national median salary for library assistants, clerical is $36,910 a year ($17.75 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,730 and the top 10% earn over $55,310. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays library assistants, clerical the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $59,390. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many library assistants, clerical are there in the U.S.?
About 85,520 people work as library assistants, clerical nationwide.