Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $63,180 a year ($30.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,090 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $68,270. Pay here is 8% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $58,440. There are 0.98 librarians and media collections specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for librarians and media collections specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| 25th percentile | $44,560 | $21.42 |
| Median | $63,180 | $30.37 |
| 75th percentile | $80,320 | $38.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,090 | $44.28 |
| Average (mean) | $63,680 | $30.62 |
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 | $5,265 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,632.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,430 |
| Weekly | $1,215 |
| Hourly | $30.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,180 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,900 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,780 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,440 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,460 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $103,680 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $59,500 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $100,240 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,920 | $33.61 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $59,760 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for librarians and media collections specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $63,180 a year, or $30.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid librarians and media collections specialists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of librarians and media collections specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $92,090 a year. The top 25% earn $80,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for librarians and media collections specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,830 a year, and a quarter of librarians and media collections specialists earn $44,560 or less.
How many librarians and media collections specialists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 80 librarians and media collections specialists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.