Median DOL Salary
$70,545
Total DOL Filings
1,649
Companies Hiring
183
Cost of Living Index
90.3
National avg = 100Location vs National
Ames, IA$70,545
National Average$60,917
The weighted median salary in Ames, IA is 15.8% above the national average across all occupations.
Top Employers in Ames
Highest-Paying Occupations in Ames
| Job Title | Median Salary | vs National | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $139,188 | +71.1% | 36 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $114,439 | +7.9% | 16 |
| Veterinarians | $110,000 | +9% | 5 |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $104,998 | -3.1% | 8 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $85,000 | -12.6% | 16 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $84,000 | -24.9% | 53 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $76,200 | -2.7% | 19 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $75,000 | -9.2% | 6 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $73,000 | -6.9% | 5 |
| Management Analysts | $72,000 | -12.4% | 5 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $70,805 | -27.4% | 16 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,700 | +27.4% | 5 |
| Industrial Engineers | $68,000 | -32% | 9 |
| History Teachers, Postsecondary | $63,630 | -17.9% | 5 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $62,000 | -30.3% | 9 |
| Operations Research Analysts | $61,500 | -21.3% | 6 |
| Marketing Managers | $60,000 | -53.2% | 5 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $60,000 | N/A | 21 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $60,000 | -11.8% | 5 |
| Economists | $57,630 | -37.9% | 10 |
BLS Wage Survey Data - Iowa
Independent Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey - all workers, not just sponsored positions.BLS metro-level data is not available for this area. Showing state-level data for Iowa.
| Occupation | BLS Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists | $229,950 | 580 |
| Orthodontists | $223,020 | 30 |
| Chief Executives | $178,530 | 3,520 |
| Dentists, General | $174,990 | 850 |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $170,810 | N/A |
| Aerospace Engineers | $150,010 | N/A |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $137,870 | 1,520 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $136,610 | 3,650 |
| Nurse Midwives | $136,450 | 70 |
| Physician Assistants | $133,400 | 1,200 |
Salary Trend in Ames, IA
Median DOL-filed salary by fiscal yearCost of Living Comparison
Ames, IA has a cost of living index of 90.3, which is 9.7% less expensive than the national average. A salary of $100,000 here has the purchasing power equivalent of $110,742 in an average-cost city.
Top-Paying Occupations - COL-Adjusted
| Job Title | Median Salary | COL-Adjusted Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $139,188 | $154,139 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $114,439 | $126,732 |
| Veterinarians | $110,000 | $121,816 |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $104,998 | $116,277 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $85,000 | $94,131 |
Compare to Other Cities
See how Ames, IA stacks up against other major hiring markets.Popular Salary Pages in Ames, IA
Source: US Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) public disclosure files (PERM Form ETA-9089 and LCA Form ETA-9035), and US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Salary figures represent employer filings and government survey estimates, not individual worker pay.