Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Iowa
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Iowa earn a median of $58,440 a year ($28.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,600 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $68,270. Iowa ranks 42nd of 51 states for librarians and media collections specialists pay. There are 1.1 librarians and media collections specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for librarians and media collections specialists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,620 | $15.20 |
| 25th percentile | $39,550 | $19.02 |
| Median | $58,440 | $28.09 |
| 75th percentile | $76,040 | $36.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,600 | $41.63 |
| Average (mean) | $58,520 | $28.14 |
Half of librarians and media collections specialists 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 | $4,870 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,435 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,247.69 |
| Weekly | $1,123.85 |
| Hourly | $28.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $77,680 | 170 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,960 | 280 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $71,050 | 410 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,550 | 140 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $63,180 | 80 |
| Ames, IA | $60,610 | 90 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $56,850 | 200 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $50,700 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for librarians and media collections specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $100,030 |
| District of Columbia | $96,550 |
| California | $89,790 |
| Maryland | $88,570 |
| Nevada | $84,540 |
| Connecticut | $79,210 |
| Alaska | $78,810 |
| New York | $78,590 |
| Massachusetts | $78,540 |
| New Jersey | $78,380 |
See Librarians and Media Collections Specialists pay in every state.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Curator | $53,830 | $25.88 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $51,740 | $24.87 |
| Archivist | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $30,510 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,580 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,200 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,450 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $33,830 | $16.26 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,490 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $60,440 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-4022. 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 librarians and media collections specialists make in Iowa?
The median salary for librarians and media collections specialists in Iowa is $58,440 a year, or $28.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid librarians and media collections specialists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of librarians and media collections specialists in Iowa earn at least $86,600 a year. The top 25% earn $76,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for librarians and media collections specialists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,620 a year, and a quarter of librarians and media collections specialists earn $39,550 or less.
How many librarians and media collections specialists work in Iowa?
About 1,770 librarians and media collections specialists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.