Archivist salary in Iowa
Archivists in Iowa earn a median of $59,010 a year ($28.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,290 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $64,550. Iowa ranks 21st of 38 states for archivists pay. There are 0.03 archivists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $56,790, close to the median.
Pay range for archivists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,630 | $13.29 |
| 25th percentile | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Median | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| 75th percentile | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Average (mean) | $56,790 | $27.31 |
Half of archivists 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 | $4,917.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,458.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,269.62 |
| Weekly | $1,134.81 |
| Hourly | $28.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for archivists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $93,040 |
| Connecticut | $79,790 |
| Massachusetts | $78,180 |
| Rhode Island | $76,990 |
| Washington | $76,490 |
| Maryland | $76,440 |
| New York | $73,860 |
| California | $70,530 |
| New Jersey | $67,900 |
| Minnesota | $65,740 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $58,440 | $28.09 |
| Library Technician | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Curator | $53,830 | $25.88 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $51,740 | $24.87 |
| 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 25-4011. 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 archivist make in Iowa?
The median salary for archivists in Iowa is $59,010 a year, or $28.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid archivists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of archivists in Iowa earn at least $79,290 a year. The top 25% earn $62,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for archivists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,630 a year, and a quarter of archivists earn $47,930 or less.
How many archivists work in Iowa?
About 40 archivists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.