Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Ames, IA
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $60,610 a year ($29.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,360 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $68,270. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $58,440. There are 1.7 librarians and media collections specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for librarians and media collections specialists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,210 | $19.81 |
| 25th percentile | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Median | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| 75th percentile | $76,240 | $36.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,360 | $37.67 |
| Average (mean) | $63,770 | $30.66 |
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 | $5,050.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,525.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,331.15 |
| Weekly | $1,165.58 |
| Hourly | $29.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,610 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 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $63,180 | 80 |
| 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 Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Library Technician | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $30,420 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,430 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $63,450 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $63,200 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $29,570 | $14.21 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $69,490 | $33.41 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $63,480 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Ames, 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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for librarians and media collections specialists in the Ames, IA metro area is $60,610 a year, or $29.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid librarians and media collections specialists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of librarians and media collections specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $78,360 a year. The top 25% earn $76,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for librarians and media collections specialists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,210 a year, and a quarter of librarians and media collections specialists earn $60,020 or less.
How many librarians and media collections specialists work in Ames, IA?
About 90 librarians and media collections specialists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.