Creative & Education Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Archivist Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median archivist salary in Iowa City, IA is $55,708 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$55,708
vs State Avg
+$3,518
vs National
$-2,932
Cost of Living
95%

Archivist Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median archivist salary of $55,708, which is $3,518 above the Iowa state average of $52,190. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for archivists in Iowa City spans from $34,200 at the 10th percentile to $89,300 at the 90th percentile — a $55,100 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,100, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $83,600. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Archivist Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level archivist earns around $36,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $83,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,100
$-1,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$57,000
$-3,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$83,600
$-4,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $34,200
25th Percentile $43,700
Median (50th) $55,708
75th Percentile $72,200
90th Percentile $89,300

Archivist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

How to Become a Archivist in Iowa City

Education

Most archivist positions require a master's degree. Iowa City and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Archival ScienceCatalogingDigital PreservationResearchDatabase ManagementMetadata

Job Outlook

Nationally, archivist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Iowa City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Archivist Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open archivist positions in Iowa City, IA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Archivist make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median archivist salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $55,708 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $34,200 (10th percentile) to $89,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $55,708, a archivist in Iowa City earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for archivist pay? ▼
Iowa City's median archivist salary of $55,708 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $52,190. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $55,708 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Iowa City? ▼
Most archivist positions in Iowa City require a master's degree. Key skills include Archival Science, Cataloging, Digital Preservation, Research. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.