SOC 43-4121 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Library Assistants, Clerical — Southwest Iowa
Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
At $27,080, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Library Assistants, Clerical, 26.6% beneath the national figure of $36,910.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $27,080, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Library Assistants, Clerical, 26.6% beneath the national figure of $36,910. Pay ranges from under $22,220 at the tenth percentile to more than $30,860 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $23,110 to $28,760.
The area has 110 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.82 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Dubuque records the highest median at $34,590. Of the 276 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 269th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,220 | −39.8% |
| 25th | $23,110 | −37.4% |
| Median (50th) | $27,080 | −26.6% |
| 75th | $28,760 | −22.1% |
| 90th | $30,860 | −16.4% |
| Mean | $26,640 | −27.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubuque | $34,590 | 50 | |
| 2 | Iowa City | $33,690 | 190 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $33,120 | 260 | |
| 4 | Des Moines | $30,750 | 310 | |
| 5 | Ames | $30,070 | 110 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $28,140 | 70 | |
| 7 | Waterloo | $26,790 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $27,080 goes as far as $30,843 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$27,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,843US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $27,080 a year, 26.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,220 to $30,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dubuque, at $34,590.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Library Assistants, Clerical in Southwest Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $27,080, or $13.02 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $36,910, so pay in Southwest Iowa, IA is 26.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Southwest Iowa, IA earns more than $30,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,220 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Dubuque, at $34,590 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 110 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Iowa, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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