Archivist Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Archivists in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$59,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $64,550
State Rank
#21 of 38
40 employed here

How much does an Archivist make in Iowa?

Archivists in Iowa take home a median of $59,010 annually — roughly $28.37 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $64,550.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $27,630 while the top 10% make $79,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,930 and $62,460 a year.

Archivist salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,630$13.28
25th percentile (early career)$47,930$23.04
50th percentile (median)$59,010$28.37
75th percentile (experienced)$62,460$30.03
90th percentile (top earners)$79,290$38.12

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 21st out of 38 states and territories for Archivist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$93,040
2Connecticut$79,790
3Massachusetts$78,180
4Rhode Island$76,990
5Washington$76,490

Working as an Archivist in Iowa

Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Archivists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($59,010) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Archivist make in Iowa?
The median Archivist salary in Iowa is $59,010 per year, or about $28.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,630 at the entry level to $79,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Archivists about 9% less than the national median of $64,550. Iowa ranks 21st out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Archivists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,010 a year. About 40 Archivists are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Archivist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.