SalariesWhat the occupation covers
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. Excludes “Library Technicians” (25-4031).
Official definition from the Standard Occupational Classification, code 43-4121.
The pay range
Pay differs a lot inside one occupation, with experience, employer and place. The table shows where the lines fall.
| Share of workers | A year | A month* | A week* | An hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn less than | $27,730 | $2,311 | $533 | $13.33 |
| Lowest 25% earn less than | $31,820 | $2,652 | $612 | $15.30 |
| Median (half earn less, half more) | $36,910 | $3,076 | $710 | $17.74 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $45,620 | $3,802 | $877 | $21.93 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $55,310 | $4,609 | $1,064 | $26.59 |
* Month and week are the yearly figure divided by 12 and by 52, worked out here for convenience. BLS publishes the yearly and hourly figures.
How it compares
The median for all occupations in the United States was $50,980 a year. The median for Library Assistants, Clerical is $36,910, which is 28% lower. Among the 54 occupations of the field Office and Administrative Support, it ranks number 53 by median pay. With 85,520 jobs, it makes up about 5.5 of every 10,000 jobs in the country.
Library Assistants, Clerical pay by state
The highest median pay was in District of Columbia ($59,390), California ($47,860) and Washington ($47,540). The lowest was in Puerto Rico ($23,110), Alabama ($27,530) and Nebraska ($28,080). The most jobs were in California (11,170), New York (8,010) and Illinois (6,620). The occupation is most concentrated in New Hampshire, where its share of all jobs is 2.6 times the national share.
No state matches.
| State | Jobs | Median a year | Average a year | Median an hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 100 | $59,390 | $59,220 | $28.55 |
| California | 11,170 | $47,860 | $51,570 | $23.01 |
| Washington | 2,810 | $47,540 | $48,440 | $22.85 |
| Nevada | 660 | $46,620 | $46,040 | $22.41 |
| Maryland | 730 | $45,910 | $45,150 | $22.07 |
| Alaska | 180 | $44,800 | $46,590 | $21.54 |
| Massachusetts | 2,840 | $42,520 | $44,860 | $20.44 |
| Oregon | 1,090 | $42,270 | $42,660 | $20.32 |
| Minnesota | 1,770 | $39,970 | $41,010 | $19.22 |
| New Jersey | 3,120 | $39,780 | $42,780 | $19.13 |
| Wisconsin | 1,570 | $39,610 | $41,170 | $19.04 |
| Connecticut | 1,810 | $39,100 | $43,470 | $18.80 |
| Montana | 160 | $39,070 | $38,010 | $18.78 |
| Arizona | 1,560 | $38,110 | $40,120 | $18.32 |
| Wyoming | not published | $38,040 | $37,810 | $18.29 |
| Virginia | 2,170 | $38,020 | $40,250 | $18.28 |
| Maine | 540 | $37,890 | $39,620 | $18.22 |
| Florida | 3,630 | $37,880 | $38,570 | $18.21 |
| Tennessee | 1,110 | $37,410 | $37,990 | $17.98 |
| New Hampshire | 990 | $37,400 | $38,190 | $17.98 |
| Hawaii | 370 | $37,110 | $37,390 | $17.84 |
| Delaware | 270 | $37,090 | $36,410 | $17.83 |
| Rhode Island | 510 | $36,610 | $39,210 | $17.60 |
| Vermont | 350 | $36,430 | $37,160 | $17.52 |
| Georgia | 610 | $36,410 | $36,760 | $17.51 |
| Colorado | 470 | $36,130 | $37,810 | $17.37 |
| New York | 8,010 | $35,990 | $40,780 | $17.30 |
| New Mexico | 150 | $35,250 | $35,760 | $16.95 |
| Illinois | 6,620 | $34,680 | $36,190 | $16.67 |
| North Carolina | 1,330 | $34,550 | $34,930 | $16.61 |
| North Dakota | 60 | $34,530 | $35,690 | $16.60 |
| Michigan | 3,470 | $34,510 | $34,580 | $16.59 |
| South Carolina | 960 | $33,980 | $33,740 | $16.34 |
| Idaho | 920 | $33,960 | $32,960 | $16.33 |
| Missouri | 1,610 | $33,760 | $34,220 | $16.23 |
| Kentucky | 1,050 | $33,690 | $33,280 | $16.20 |
| Ohio | 5,240 | $33,480 | $33,560 | $16.10 |
| Utah | 820 | $32,690 | $33,970 | $15.72 |
| Kansas | 1,380 | $31,550 | $31,460 | $15.17 |
| Texas | 1,600 | $31,200 | $31,370 | $15.00 |
| Arkansas | 390 | $31,100 | $30,830 | $14.95 |
| West Virginia | 450 | $30,800 | $31,150 | $14.81 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,930 | $30,690 | $33,610 | $14.76 |
| Oklahoma | 800 | $29,640 | $30,320 | $14.25 |
| Louisiana | 720 | $29,620 | $31,130 | $14.24 |
| Iowa | 1,700 | $29,480 | $31,700 | $14.17 |
| Indiana | 1,830 | $28,900 | $29,010 | $13.89 |
| Mississippi | 440 | $28,110 | $27,550 | $13.52 |
| Nebraska | 310 | $28,080 | $30,620 | $13.50 |
| Alabama | 900 | $27,530 | $29,570 | $13.24 |
| Puerto Rico | 210 | $23,110 | $24,350 | $11.11 |
Sorted by median pay, highest first. "Not published" means BLS did not release that figure for the state, usually because too few employers were surveyed. "$239,200 or more" is the highest value BLS reports in the state tables.
Similar occupations by pay
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$38,630 a year
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- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$35,070 a year
Common questions
How much do Library Assistants, Clerical earn in the United States?
The median pay was $36,910 a year in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $27,730 and the highest-paid 10% more than $55,310.
How many people work as Library Assistants, Clerical?
About 85,520 jobs in the United States in May 2025, not counting the self-employed.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Checked in November 2026. Figures are for employees, before tax, and leave out overtime pay and benefits. They are official statistics, not advice or a pay offer; see bls.gov/oes for the original tables.