Library Assistants, Clerical Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for library assistants, clerical in the U.S. is $36,910 ($17.74 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $36,910
- Mean annual wage
- $39,370
- Median hourly wage
- $17.74
- Employment
- 85,520
85,520 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| 25th percentile | $31,820 | $15.30 |
| Median (50th) | $36,910 | $17.74 |
| 75th percentile | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| 90th percentile | $55,310 | $26.59 |
Highest-paying states for library assistants, clerical
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lowest-paying states
- Alabama: $27,530 median annual wage
- Nebraska: $28,080 median annual wage
- Mississippi: $28,110 median annual wage
- Indiana: $28,900 median annual wage
- Iowa: $29,480 median annual wage
About this occupation
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 tasks
- Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.
- Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material.
- Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose.
- Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
- Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used.
- Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 1.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.5% |
| Some college, no degree | 20.1% |
| Associate's degree | 13.4% |
| Bachelor's degree | 38.1% |
| Master's degree | 12.0% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 1.6% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Customer Service Representatives$44,770
- Office Clerks, General$45,010
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,540
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$69,500
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$50,670
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$45,930
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$38,010
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$45,260
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.