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Salary comparison

Library Technicians vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education out-earn Library Technicians by $19K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Library Technicians land at $44,580 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education at $63,970. The education gap is real: library technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Library Technicians is Washington ($62,570); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education it's Washington ($102,350).

Library Technicians
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$44,580
$63,970
Hourly rate
$21.43/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$29,300
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$63,080
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
68,690
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
-6.8%
-2%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
Washington
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Library Technicians median pay.

State
Library Technicians
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Washington
$62,570
$102,350
District of Columbia
$61,040
$96,580
Connecticut
$57,060
$80,600
California
$53,260
$99,650
Minnesota
$51,110
$76,350
Massachusetts
$50,430
$94,000
New York
$50,060
$85,760
Oregon
$49,970
$77,130
Maryland
$48,920
$77,680
New Jersey
$48,840
$78,200
Rhode Island
$48,740
$90,930
Delaware
$47,580
$75,920
Alaska
$46,940
$79,260
Pennsylvania
$46,100
$77,060
Ohio
$37,920
$77,370

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Library Technicians or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earn more nationally. The median is $44,580 for Library Technicians versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, a difference of $19K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Library Technicians or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education has the better 10-year outlook at -2% projected growth, compared to -6.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Library Technicians or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Library Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Library Technicians get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Library Technicians at $62,570/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Library Technicians vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Library Technicians earn $62,570 vs. $102,350 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Library Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for Library Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by take-home payExplore →How to become a library techniciansGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →