Library Technician salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Library Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $46,840 a year ($22.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,010 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $44,580. Pay here is 21% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $38,590. There are 0.77 library technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for library technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Median | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| 75th percentile | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,010 | $29.81 |
| Average (mean) | $47,450 | $22.81 |
Half of library technicians 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 | $3,903.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,951.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,801.54 |
| Weekly | $900.77 |
| Hourly | $22.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Library Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $61,300 | 90 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,820 | 30 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,670 | 100 |
| Ames, IA | $45,880 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,960 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $42,920 | 110 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $40,320 | 330 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $34,930 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for library technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $62,570 |
| District of Columbia | $61,040 |
| Connecticut | $57,060 |
| California | $53,260 |
| Minnesota | $51,110 |
| Hawaii | $50,870 |
| Massachusetts | $50,430 |
| Vermont | $50,090 |
| New York | $50,060 |
| Oregon | $49,970 |
See Library Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Curator | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $68,960 | $33.16 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $34,620 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $61,650 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $62,480 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,980 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $60,310 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $59,780 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,220 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-4031. 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 library technician make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for library technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $46,840 a year, or $22.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid library technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of library technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $62,010 a year. The top 25% earn $61,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for library technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of library technicians earn $37,770 or less.
How many library technicians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 310 library technicians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.