Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $62,490 -2.8% vs national
Median hourly $30.04
10th percentile $45,110
90th percentile $77,200
Employed locally 90
National median $64,320

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Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
in
Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,110
    25th
    $58,340
    50th (median)
    $62,490
    75th
    $73,380
    90th
    $77,200

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary vs area income 88% Median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary is 12% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $101,900
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $100,810
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $99,530
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $99,370
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $98,820
    Bellingham, WA $98,760

    Nearby metros — Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $98,820
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $98,670
    District of Columbia $93,740
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $91,020
    California $86,590
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $79,770

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $28,950
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $59,690
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $60,340
    Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $60,180
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $29,180
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $28,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Ames, IA is $30.04, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.67 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salaries?

    The median Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary in Ames, IA is 2.8% below the national median of $64,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists in Ames?

    Entry-level Librarians and Media Collections Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $45,110 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,340.