Iowa Median
$58,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $68,270
State Rank
#42 of 51
1,770 employed here
How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make in Iowa?
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Iowa take home a median of $58,440 annually — roughly $28.10 an hour — which runs 14% below the national median of $68,270.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $31,620 while the top 10% make $86,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,550 and $76,040 a year.
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,620 | $15.20 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,550 | $19.01 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,440 | $28.10 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $76,040 | $36.56 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,600 | $41.63 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in other states
Washington $100,030District of Columbia $96,550California $89,790Maryland $88,570Nevada $84,540Connecticut $79,210Alaska $78,810New York $78,590Massachusetts $78,540New Jersey $78,380Oregon $78,070Delaware $77,700Minnesota $77,650Virginia $77,430Georgia $76,750Colorado $76,480Rhode Island $75,860Texas $71,860Hawaii $68,270Florida $67,060Wisconsin $66,870Kentucky $65,200Alabama $64,650Nebraska $64,060Montana $63,870New Hampshire $63,580Pennsylvania $62,880North Dakota $62,830Illinois $62,700South Carolina $62,640New Mexico $62,530Vermont $62,360Tennessee $62,090Kansas $61,900North Carolina $61,420Louisiana $60,650Ohio $60,630Arizona $60,500Michigan $60,010Maine $59,540Missouri $58,700Oklahoma $58,180Mississippi $56,970Arkansas $56,800Idaho $54,130Utah $53,730Indiana $53,500South Dakota $51,210Wyoming $46,530West Virginia $42,980
Working as Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Iowa
Nationally, about 134,000 people work as Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($58,440) 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 do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make in Iowa?
The median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Iowa is $58,440 per year, or about $28.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,620 at the entry level to $86,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Librarians and Media Collections Specialists about 14% less than the national median of $68,270. Iowa ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,440 a year. About 1,770 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists 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 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists 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.