Creative & Education Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Librarian Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median librarian salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $53,847 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$53,847
vs State Avg
$-612
vs National
$-7,343
Cost of Living
88%

Librarian Pay in Cedar Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Cedar Rapids offers a median librarian salary of $53,847, which is $612 below the Iowa state average of $54,459. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Cedar Rapids pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cedar Rapids's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $53,847 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Cedar Rapids spans from $34,496 at the 10th percentile to $85,008 at the 90th percentile — a $50,512 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,960, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,440. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level librarian earns around $36,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,960
$-5,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,440
$-10,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $34,496
25th Percentile $43,120
Median (50th) $53,847
75th Percentile $67,936
90th Percentile $85,008

Librarian Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$58,131
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$56,295
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$52,623
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$51,400
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Librarian in Cedar Rapids

Education

Most librarian positions require a master's degree. Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Information ScienceResearchCatalogingCommunity ProgrammingDigital LiteracyDatabase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, librarian employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Librarian Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open librarian positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Librarian make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median librarian salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $53,847 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $34,496 (10th percentile) to $85,008 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $53,847, a librarian in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for librarian pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median librarian salary of $53,847 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $54,459. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $53,847 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most librarian positions in Cedar Rapids require a master's degree. Key skills include Information Science, Research, Cataloging, Community Programming. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.