Best institutions to study Library and Archives Assisting
Compare 26 U.S. colleges offering Library and Archives Assisting by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 14 states.
Library and Archives Assisting programs report a median of $31,514 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 25.03 and the Library Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Library and Archives Assisting programs
The Library and Archives Assisting program focuses on the essential skills needed to support library and archival operations. Students will learn how to manage, organize, and provide access to information resources, preparing them for various roles within libraries and archives. This program is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing a career in library science and information management.
Participants in this program will develop core skills such as reading comprehension, active listening, and critical thinking. Coursework will cover essential knowledge areas including customer service, administrative tasks, and the use of technology in library settings, equipping students to assist patrons effectively.
Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL Public · Certificate degree | $31,514 | 32 | 25% | — | — |
Offered across 14 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 3 | $31,514 | College of DuPage |
| California | 11 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-4031, Library Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Library and Archives Assisting program can expect a career outlook with an annual opening of approximately 13,000 positions, despite a projected decline of 6.8% in the field. The median wage for this occupation is around $39,970, and a postsecondary nondegree award is typically required for entry.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Library and Archives Assisting
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 25.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 25.03 (Library and Archives Assisting) maps to 1 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupation, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-4031 | Library Techniciansprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Library and Archives Assisting programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.
- Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.
- Help patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audio-visual equipment, computers, and other electronic resources and provide technical assistance when needed.
- Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.
- Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.
- Catalogue and sort books and other print and non-print materials according to procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
Concentrations within Library and Archives Assisting
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Library and Archives AssistingCIP 25.0301
A program that prepares individuals to assist professional librarians and archivists
Common questions
What is the focus of the Library and Archives Assisting program?+
The program focuses on skills needed to support library and archival operations, including managing and organizing information resources.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and customer service.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook includes approximately 13,000 annual openings, but the field is expected to see a decline of 6.8%.
What education is required for this career?+
A postsecondary nondegree award is typically required to enter the field.
How much do Library and Archives Assisting graduates earn?+
Library and Archives Assisting graduates report median earnings of $31,514 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Library Technicians occupation pays about $45,500 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Library and Archives Assisting?+
Library and Archives Assisting maps to CIP 25.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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