How much does a library assistant make?
The median library assistant in the United States earns $36,910 per year, about $17.74 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all library assistants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-4121.
Library assistant salary range
Pay for library assistants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $27,730 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $55,310. The average (mean) wage of $39,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,730 | $13.33 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $31,820 | $15.30 | |
| Median (50th) | $36,910 | $17.74 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $45,620 | $21.93 | |
| 90th percentile | $55,310 | $26.59 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for library assistants, clerical (SOC 43-4121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Library assistant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Library assistants earn the most in District of Columbia at $59,390 a year, and the least in Alabama at $27,530. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,390 | 100 |
| California | $47,860 | 11,170 |
| Washington | $47,540 | 2,810 |
| Nevada | $46,620 | 660 |
| Maryland | $45,910 | 730 |
| Alaska | $44,800 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $42,520 | 2,840 |
| Oregon | $42,270 | 1,090 |
| Minnesota | $39,970 | 1,770 |
| New Jersey | $39,780 | 3,120 |
| Wisconsin | $39,610 | 1,570 |
| Connecticut | $39,100 | 1,810 |
| Montana | $39,070 | 160 |
| Arizona | $38,110 | 1,560 |
| Wyoming | $38,040 | N/A |
| Virginia | $38,020 | 2,170 |
| Maine | $37,890 | 540 |
| Florida | $37,880 | 3,630 |
| Tennessee | $37,410 | 1,110 |
| New Hampshire | $37,400 | 990 |
| Hawaii | $37,110 | 370 |
| Delaware | $37,090 | 270 |
| Rhode Island | $36,610 | 510 |
| Vermont | $36,430 | 350 |
| Georgia | $36,410 | 610 |
| Colorado | $36,130 | 470 |
| New York | $35,990 | 8,010 |
| New Mexico | $35,250 | 150 |
| Illinois | $34,680 | 6,620 |
| North Carolina | $34,550 | 1,330 |
| North Dakota | $34,530 | 60 |
| Michigan | $34,510 | 3,470 |
| South Carolina | $33,980 | 960 |
| Idaho | $33,960 | 920 |
| Missouri | $33,760 | 1,610 |
| Kentucky | $33,690 | 1,050 |
| Ohio | $33,480 | 5,240 |
| Utah | $32,690 | 820 |
| Kansas | $31,550 | 1,380 |
| Texas | $31,200 | 1,600 |
| Arkansas | $31,100 | 390 |
| West Virginia | $30,800 | 450 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,690 | 3,930 |
| Oklahoma | $29,640 | 800 |
| Louisiana | $29,620 | 720 |
| Iowa | $29,480 | 1,700 |
| Indiana | $28,900 | 1,830 |
| Mississippi | $28,110 | 440 |
| Nebraska | $28,080 | 310 |
| Alabama | $27,530 | 900 |
State median wages for library assistants, clerical (SOC 43-4121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for library assistants
The BLS projects employment of library assistants to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 6.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 89,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 83,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 12,300 openings a year for library assistants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a library assistant
The typical entry-level education for library assistants is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a library assistant earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $59,390) and the lowest (Alabama, $27,530) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 85,520 people work as library assistants in the United States. At $36,910 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Library assistant salary FAQ
How much does a library assistant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a library assistant is $17.74. The middle half of library assistants earn between $15.30 and $21.93 per hour.
What is the highest library assistant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of library assistants earn more than $55,310 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a library assistant make a year?
The median annual salary for a library assistant is $36,910. The average (mean) wage of $39,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a library assistant a well paid job?
At $36,910 a year, a library assistant earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 85,520 people work as library assistants in the United States.
Which state pays library assistants the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for library assistants at $59,390 a year. California ($47,860) and Washington ($47,540) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a library assistant a good career?
Employment of library assistants is projected to shrink 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 12,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a library assistant?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for library assistants as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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