Library Technician salary in California
Library Technicians in California earn a median of $53,260 a year ($25.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,880 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $44,580. California ranks 4th of 51 states for library technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.40 library technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for library technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,260 | $19.35 |
| 25th percentile | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Median | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| 75th percentile | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,880 | $36.96 |
| Average (mean) | $56,050 | $26.95 |
Half of library technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,438.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,219.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,048.46 |
| Weekly | $1,024.23 |
| Hourly | $25.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Library Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $63,690 | 730 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,550 | 310 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,470 | 160 |
| Vallejo, CA | $57,670 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $57,510 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $56,510 | 870 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $56,160 | 140 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $55,960 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,630 | 580 |
| Modesto, CA | $55,440 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $54,920 | 720 |
| Salinas, CA | $53,460 | 80 |
| Napa, CA | $50,110 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $49,980 | 1,940 |
| Yuba City, CA | $49,060 | 30 |
| El Centro, CA | $48,520 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $48,500 | 210 |
| Visalia, CA | $48,200 | 130 |
| Merced, CA | $47,570 | 60 |
| Chico, CA | $47,040 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $46,890 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $46,430 | 210 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $45,070 | 120 |
| Redding, CA | $44,850 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for library technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $62,570 |
| District of Columbia | $61,040 |
| Connecticut | $57,060 |
| California | $53,260 |
| Minnesota | $51,110 |
| Hawaii | $50,870 |
| Massachusetts | $50,430 |
| Vermont | $50,090 |
| New York | $50,060 |
| Oregon | $49,970 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $89,790 | $43.17 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $61,550 | $29.59 |
| Archivist | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| Curator | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,490 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,650 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,370 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Tutor | $45,100 | $21.69 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $100,690 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,950 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-4031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a library technician make in California?
The median salary for library technicians in California is $53,260 a year, or $25.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid library technicians make in California?
The top 10% of library technicians in California earn at least $76,880 a year. The top 25% earn $62,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for library technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,260 a year, and a quarter of library technicians earn $45,570 or less.
How many library technicians work in California?
About 7,190 library technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.