Careers / Library Assistants, Clerical
Library Assistants, Clerical — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$36,910
United States, 2025
Employment
85,520
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 2
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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.
- O*NET code
- 43-4121.00
- Job zone
- 2
- Experience required
- None
Typical tasks
- Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.
- Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.
- Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
- Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.
- Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items.
- Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.
- Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.
- Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$27,730
25th percentile
$31,820
75th percentile
$45,620
90th percentile
$55,310
Most important skills
- Service Orientation3.4
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Active Listening3.3
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Writing3.0
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Time Management2.9
- Monitoring2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 7 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
7
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Service Orientation | 3.4 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.3 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Writing | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Library Assistants, ClericalHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $63,000 | 1,720 | 2025 |
| San Jose, CA | $62,780 | 840 | 2025 |
| DC | $59,390 | 100 | 2025 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $54,590 | 100 | 2025 |
| Kennewick, WA | $51,460 | 140 | 2025 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $51,410 | 70 | 2025 |
| San Diego, CA | $50,940 | 820 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $50,560 | 1,050 | 2025 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $50,180 | 40 | 2025 |
| Anchorage, AK | $50,000 | 30 | 2025 |
| Hanford, CA | $49,000 | 40 | 2025 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $48,890 | 160 | 2025 |
| Portland, OR | $48,470 | 870 | 2025 |
| Bremerton, WA | $48,220 | 110 | 2025 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $48,120 | 950 | 2025 |
| CA | $47,860 | 11,170 | 2025 |
| Riverside, CA | $47,850 | 880 | 2025 |
| Olympia, WA | $47,830 | 140 | 2025 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $47,780 | 60 | 2025 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,770 | 3,840 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Library Assistants, Clerical to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.