Library Technician Salary
Library Technicians earn a median $44,580 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
What library technicians do
Assist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books or other media; remove or repair damaged books or other media; register patrons; and check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.4% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 10,800
Employment of library technicians is projected to shrink 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 10,800 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 Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,170
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,764
- Medicare (1.45%)$646
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$38,000
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,300 | $14.09 | $25,723 |
| 25th percentile | $35,740 | $17.18 | $30,897 |
| Median (50th) | $44,580 | $21.43 | $38,000 |
| 75th percentile | $52,430 | $25.21 | $44,308 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,080 | $30.33 | $52,865 |
Best cities for library technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $52,040 | $41,781 | $37,118 | 2,850 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $52,040
Library Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $62,570 | +8.7% | $52,455 | $50,310 – $76,860 | 1,850 |
| District of Columbia | $61,040 | +3.8% | $48,705 | $48,960 – $72,720 | 390 |
| Connecticut | $57,060 | +4.6% | $46,385 | $34,010 – $80,180 | 930 |
| California | $53,260 | +3.8% | $43,037 | $40,260 – $76,880 | 7,190 |
| Minnesota | $51,110 | +8.0% | $41,295 | $34,340 – $63,480 | 1,180 |
| Hawaii | $50,870 | +15.1% | $40,707 | $41,800 – $61,870 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $50,430 | +1.6% | $40,399 | $38,450 – $64,980 | 1,910 |
| Vermont | $50,090 | +15.2% | $41,183 | $37,400 – $60,760 | 150 |
| New York | $50,060 | +7.2% | $40,297 | $34,240 – $76,060 | 3,390 |
| Oregon | $49,970 | +6.4% | $38,788 | $38,070 – $62,520 | 1,810 |
| Maryland | $48,920 | −0.9% | $39,527 | $36,170 – $75,460 | 1,980 |
| New Jersey | $48,840 | +4.5% | $40,272 | $32,220 – $69,730 | 1,060 |
| Rhode Island | $48,740 | +3.9% | $40,132 | $31,200 – $64,120 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $48,650 | +2.1% | $41,270 | $31,200 – $62,440 | 280 |
| Delaware | $47,580 | +1.6% | $38,447 | $34,830 – $60,560 | 210 |
| Illinois | $47,120 | +7.3% | $37,853 | $33,780 – $63,170 | 2,140 |
| Alaska | $46,940 | +0.9% | $39,896 | $35,810 – $62,590 | 220 |
| Colorado | $46,680 | +4.0% | $38,342 | $36,230 – $58,740 | 2,250 |
| North Carolina | $46,520 | +3.8% | $38,211 | $30,670 – $58,490 | 2,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,100 | +20.8% | $37,806 | $29,430 – $63,530 | 1,560 |
| Nevada | $45,650 | +5.0% | $38,860 | $30,290 – $62,030 | 410 |
| Virginia | $45,560 | +0.9% | $36,982 | $31,030 – $62,300 | 2,580 |
| Maine | $44,520 | +7.7% | $36,128 | $33,780 – $58,430 | 320 |
| Kansas | $41,960 | +7.6% | $34,353 | $31,480 – $57,190 | 480 |
| Florida | $41,080 | +5.8% | $35,188 | $34,660 – $57,580 | 3,070 |
| Arizona | $40,510 | +0.4% | $33,926 | $30,590 – $58,090 | 820 |
| Utah | $40,160 | +9.6% | $33,607 | $23,670 – $53,460 | 310 |
| North Dakota | $39,240 | +3.9% | $33,709 | $34,910 – $50,090 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $39,180 | +5.3% | $32,872 | $27,740 – $57,980 | 1,410 |
| Missouri | $39,160 | +3.5% | $32,742 | $29,580 – $48,120 | 1,360 |
| New Mexico | $38,830 | +7.4% | $32,678 | $29,160 – $56,140 | 540 |
| Texas | $38,640 | +1.9% | $33,227 | $28,840 – $49,210 | 5,180 |
| Iowa | $38,590 | +3.8% | $32,372 | $28,230 – $61,570 | 1,510 |
| Montana | $38,220 | +5.8% | $31,850 | $28,690 – $56,080 | 370 |
| Ohio | $37,920 | +7.6% | $32,388 | $28,090 – $58,060 | 4,020 |
| Georgia | $37,320 | +1.8% | $30,853 | $27,420 – $48,010 | 2,130 |
| Alabama | $37,150 | +12.9% | $30,438 | $29,190 – $48,380 | 390 |
| Nebraska | $36,920 | −1.0% | $31,045 | $28,730 – $51,060 | 710 |
| Tennessee | $36,400 | +15.0% | $31,427 | $20,980 – $51,120 | 390 |
| South Carolina | $36,070 | +3.5% | $30,155 | $23,690 – $49,800 | 650 |
| Kentucky | $35,700 | +16.1% | $29,733 | $28,550 – $49,460 | 670 |
| Indiana | $35,560 | +9.7% | $29,733 | $25,110 – $47,090 | 1,470 |
| Wisconsin | $35,000 | +6.0% | $29,544 | $23,080 – $51,230 | 2,890 |
| Michigan | $34,680 | +1.0% | $28,822 | $25,960 – $51,990 | 2,180 |
| Idaho | $34,510 | +2.4% | $29,188 | $24,960 – $46,100 | 520 |
| West Virginia | $30,300 | −2.5% | $25,750 | $27,010 – $47,560 | 280 |
| South Dakota | $29,590 | +4.3% | $25,956 | $26,060 – $47,600 | 650 |
| Oklahoma | $29,440 | +3.3% | $25,056 | $22,520 – $48,290 | 830 |
| Arkansas | $28,570 | −7.2% | $24,234 | $25,800 – $39,010 | 390 |
| Mississippi | $27,080 | +3.8% | $23,559 | $22,420 – $45,050 | 270 |
| Wyoming | $26,850 | −24.5% | $23,721 | $25,930 – $49,120 | 400 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Museum Technician and Conservator | $51,440 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% |
| Curator | $63,420 | Master's degree | +4.9% |
| Archivist | $64,550 | Master's degree | +3.4% |
| Librarian and Media Collections Specialist | $68,270 | Master's degree | +2.6% |
| Tutor | $43,350 | Some college, no degree | -0.2% |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $42,910 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $46,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $41,670 | Bachelor's degree | +2.0% |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $50,890 | Bachelor's degree | +1.8% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $38,140 | Associate's degree | +4.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a library technician make?
The national median salary for library technicians is $44,580 a year ($21.43 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,300 and the top 10% earn over $63,080. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays library technicians the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $62,570. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many library technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 68,690 people work as library technicians nationwide.