Creative & Education Sioux City, IA Pop. 85,797

Librarian Salary in Sioux City, Iowa

The median librarian salary in Sioux City, IA is $51,400 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 5.6% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$51,400
vs State Avg
$-3,059
vs National
$-9,790
Cost of Living
84%

Librarian Pay in Sioux City: What to Expect (2026)

Sioux City offers a median librarian salary of $51,400, which is $3,059 below the Iowa state average of $54,459. Compared to the national median of $61,190, Sioux City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Sioux City's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $51,400 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Sioux City an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Sioux City spans from $32,928 at the 10th percentile to $81,144 at the 90th percentile — a $48,216 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $35,280, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $73,920. Sioux City is a smaller market (pop. 85,797), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Librarian Salary in Sioux City by Experience

In Sioux City, an entry-level librarian earns around $35,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$35,280
$-6,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,080
$-9,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,920
$-14,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Sioux City, IA

Percentile Sioux City
10th Percentile $32,928
25th Percentile $41,160
Median (50th) $51,400
75th Percentile $64,848
90th Percentile $81,144

Librarian Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$58,131
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$56,295
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$53,847
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$52,623
Pop. 101,724

How to Become a Librarian in Sioux City

Education

Most librarian positions require a master's degree. Sioux City 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 Sioux City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Librarian Jobs in Sioux City

Browse open librarian positions in Sioux City, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Sioux City

How much does a Librarian make in Sioux City, IA? ▼
The median librarian salary in Sioux City, Iowa is $51,400 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $32,928 (10th percentile) to $81,144 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Sioux City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $51,400, a librarian in Sioux City earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Sioux City compare to the Iowa state average for librarian pay? ▼
Sioux City's median librarian salary of $51,400 is 5.6% below the Iowa state average of $54,459. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Sioux City, IA? ▼
Sioux City has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a librarian salary of $51,400 in Sioux City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Sioux City? ▼
Most librarian positions in Sioux City 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.