metropolitan statistical area · 11180

Ames, IA

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Ames, IA metro area

Figures describe the Ames, IA metropolitan statistical area as defined by BLS/OMB — the whole multi-county metro region, not Ames city limits.

Median annual wage, all occupations$50,220
Total employment55,890

Across all occupations, the median wage in the Ames, IA metro area was $50,220 per year ($24.14 per hour) as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 55,890 jobs. 247 detailed occupations are published for this area.

Most concentrated occupations

Occupations far more common here than in the U.S. overall (location quotient ≥ 1.5, published estimates only) — a truthful picture of what makes this area’s job mix distinctive.

Location quotient: local share of employment ÷ national share
OccupationLocation quotientEmploymentMedian annual
Business Operations Specialists, All Other1.82710$76,510
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary1.52780$30,420
Construction Laborers1.52600$49,810

All published occupations

Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this area in May 2025 247 in total. Sort by pay, employment, or concentration.

Published occupations in the Ames, IA metro area
Occupation
Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,220$14.051,6201.17
Cashiers$29,230$14.051,4701.33
Retail Salespersons$32,460$15.601,4601.04
Stockers and Order Fillers$36,240$17.421,1101.09
Registered Nurses$77,160$37.091,0700.88
General and Operations Managers$97,700$46.971,0400.82
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,300$16.971,0301.29
Waiters and Waitresses$22,710$10.921,0101.24
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$30,420Not published7801.52
Nursing Assistants$43,540$20.937701.47
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$76,510$36.787101.82
Office Clerks, General$45,450$21.857100.80
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$35,660$17.147000.45
Customer Service Representatives$42,820$20.596900.74
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$54,770$26.336701.22
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$40,280$19.366500.61
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$54,510$26.216400.87
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$48,740$23.446201.02
Construction Laborers$49,810$23.956001.52
Cooks, Restaurant$36,410$17.515701.13
Accountants and Auditors$79,320$38.145301.02
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39,710$19.094901.11
Software Developers$129,440$62.234700.77
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$47,970$23.064700.95
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$49,360$23.734700.94
Bartenders$21,580$10.384501.65
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$62,430Not published4400.88
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$68,680$33.024400.99
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$40,210$19.334201.20
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$50,260$24.164003.18
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$44,580$21.433901.12
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$61,100$29.373801.16
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36,540$17.573802.37
Computer User Support Specialists$63,830$30.693501.35
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$48,300$23.223500.87
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63,450Not published3100.82
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,160$35.653001.22
Civil Engineers$100,200$48.172902.20
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$30,590$14.712901.66
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$72,260$34.742900.98
Medical and Health Services Managers$103,730$49.872801.32
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$66,420$31.932800.55
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$48,250$23.202802.09
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$50,730$24.392705.90
Human Resources Specialists$70,060$33.682600.79
Project Management Specialists$97,290$46.772600.68
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$36,330$17.472601.37
Security Guards$37,430$17.992600.56
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$32,830$15.782600.84
Childcare Workers$27,850$13.392601.38
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$58,820$28.282601.02
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63,200Not published2501.12
Public Relations Specialists$62,970$30.272502.41
Recreation Workers$31,110$14.962402.04
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$61,820$29.722401.11
Financial Managers$124,010$59.622200.73
Computer Systems Analysts$96,920$46.592201.17
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$63,230$30.402200.50
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$79,080$38.022200.97
Bus Drivers, School$54,780$26.342201.50
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$47,840$23.002100.72
Carpenters$55,640$26.752100.87
Electricians$63,320$30.442100.77
Computer Network Support Specialists$82,360$39.602003.85
Light Truck Drivers$40,050$19.252000.55
Self-Enrichment Teachers$29,570$14.211901.60
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$65,610$31.551900.83
Animal Caretakers$38,700$18.611902.02
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$62,400$30.001901.10
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$60,430$29.051901.29
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,670$23.881904.31
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$68,880$33.121801.03
Social and Human Service Assistants$38,240$18.391801.12
Medical Assistants$45,810$22.021800.61
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$31,840$15.311801.71
Tellers$43,060$20.701801.50
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$58,270$28.021800.79
Training and Development Specialists$67,860$32.621701.02
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$36,170$17.391701.51
Receptionists and Information Clerks$35,170$16.911700.53
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$58,560$28.151701.10
Compliance Officers$80,370$38.641601.07
Computer Occupations, All Other$92,310$44.381601.04
Biological Scientists, All Other$82,720$39.771608.21
Insurance Sales Agents$63,400$30.481600.95
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$63,820$30.681600.97
Butchers and Meat Cutters$36,110$17.361603.25
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$55,600$26.731501.38
Management Analysts$88,510$42.561500.45
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$79,210$38.081505.89
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$73,840$35.501500.64
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$67,250$32.331500.96
Printing Press Operators$46,850$22.521502.80
Industrial Engineers$88,650$42.621401.04
Agricultural Technicians$48,430$23.2914025.16
Pharmacy Technicians$39,310$18.901400.85
Food Preparation Workers$29,900$14.371400.45
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$28,480$13.691400.87
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$60,800$29.231400.97
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$61,990$29.801400.83
Computer and Information Systems Managers$131,340$63.141300.53
Soil and Plant Scientists$65,080$31.2913023.82
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$69,750$33.531300.75
Postal Service Mail Carriers$60,840$29.251301.07
Driver/Sales Workers$28,760$13.831300.89
Industrial Production Managers$113,930$54.771201.39
Construction Managers$96,720$46.501200.89
Managers, All Other$138,110$66.401200.54
Mechanical Engineers$98,610$47.411201.11
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$46,370$22.291200.84
Parts Salespersons$40,540$19.491201.21
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$105,330$50.641201.17
Chief Executives$206,090$99.081101.43
Marketing Managers$132,050$63.491100.78
Sales Managers$133,150$64.021100.46
Facilities Managers$88,910$42.751101.92
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$93,720$45.061101.74
Instructional Coordinators$69,490$33.411101.31
Graphic Designers$57,060$27.431101.50
Coaches and Scouts$36,740Not published1101.23
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$56,380$27.101100.91
Dental Assistants$49,140$23.631100.81
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$29,630$14.251100.58
Dishwashers$30,110$14.481100.66
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$27,100$13.031100.77
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$32,150$15.461100.94
Library Assistants, Clerical$30,070$14.461103.61
Highway Maintenance Workers$60,980$29.321101.92
Food Batchmakers$50,950$24.501101.68
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52,020$25.011103.24
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$48,310$23.231100.40
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$36,390$17.491100.84
Food Service Managers$62,590$30.091001.14
Social and Community Service Managers$63,770$30.661001.35
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$47,980$23.071001.93
Data Scientists$79,430$38.191001.08
Farm and Home Management Educators$60,840$29.2510033.67
Counter and Rental Clerks$38,780$18.651000.67
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$106,520Not published900.78
Architectural and Engineering Managers$137,010$65.87901.14
Natural Sciences Managers$116,540$56.03902.30
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$78,030$37.52900.84
Lawyers$125,200$60.19900.35
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$60,610$29.14901.96
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$66,760$32.09901.05
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$38,300$18.41902.00
Billing and Posting Clerks$47,050$22.62900.59
Information and Record Clerks, All Other$53,710$25.82901.81
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$39,080$18.79901.02
Bakers$36,520$17.56901.01
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$47,810$22.99901.73
Logisticians$75,620$36.36800.84
Fundraisers$80,430$38.67802.06
Budget Analysts$84,030$40.40804.44
Veterinarians$118,240$56.85802.73
Dental Hygienists$89,130$42.85801.01
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$57,800$27.79801.17
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$65,470$31.48801.61
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$61,360$29.50800.72
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$63,490$30.52806.23
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$64,940$31.22801.19
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$62,300$29.95801.52
Loan Officers$84,470$40.61700.69
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$82,970$39.89701.35
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$63,480Not published700.78
Pharmacists$139,690$67.16700.65
Physical Therapists$90,610$43.56700.72
Nurse Practitioners$127,600$61.34700.62
Medical Records Specialists$49,850$23.97700.95
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$46,540$22.37701.08
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$80,990$38.94700.90
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$62,050$29.83700.38
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$48,320$23.23700.96
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$44,780$21.53700.81
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$61,730$29.68701.54
Production Workers, All Other$70,690$33.99700.76
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$104,930$50.45600.74
Human Resources Managers$137,390$66.05600.74
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$53,180$25.57600.40
Speech-Language Pathologists$83,170$39.99600.88
Family Medicine Physicians$248,000$119.23601.44
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$102,930$49.49601.01
Firefighters$86,010$41.35600.48
Chefs and Head Cooks$51,360$24.69600.78
Cooks, Short Order$36,070$17.34601.16
Residential Advisors$48,230$23.19601.94
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$58,230$27.99600.82
Sheet Metal Workers$64,420$30.97601.45
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$54,950$26.42600.90
Machinists$60,200$28.94600.55
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$69,090$33.22601.04
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$47,660$22.92501.82
Cost Estimators$76,920$36.98500.63
Property Appraisers and Assessors$78,480$37.73502.40
Engineers, All Other$95,260$45.80500.81
Architectural and Civil Drafters$63,620$30.59501.30
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$65,020$31.26501.76
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$48,060$23.11500.71
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$57,360$27.58501.06
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$43,830$21.07501.30
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$57,580$27.68500.88
New Accounts Clerks$47,870$23.01503.47
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$48,680$23.41500.63
Data Entry Keyers$45,140$21.70501.05
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$58,790$28.26500.91
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$83,010$39.91502.89
Food Processing Workers, All Other$43,520$20.93502.01
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$47,330$22.76500.84
Helpers--Production Workers$39,070$18.79500.76
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$31,670$15.23500.59
Packers and Packagers, Hand$34,490$16.58500.25
Administrative Services Managers$103,440$49.73400.47
Financial and Investment Analysts$90,650$43.58400.29
Personal Financial Advisors$90,590$43.55400.42
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$96,560$46.42400.66
Electrical Engineers$103,750$49.88400.51
Chemists$84,300$40.53401.37
Library Technicians$45,880$22.06401.79
Dentists, General$163,950$78.82400.92
Occupational Therapists$73,810$35.49400.70
Paramedics$62,920$30.25401.17
Opticians, Dispensing$40,860$19.64401.36
Phlebotomists$38,240$18.39400.83
Correctional Officers and Jailers$58,410$28.08400.29
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$23,640$11.37400.66
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$45,200$21.73401.20
Public Safety Telecommunicators$58,610$28.18401.14
Postal Service Clerks$58,470$28.11401.51
Construction and Building Inspectors$79,740$38.34400.80
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$100,170$48.16400.76
Prepress Technicians and Workers$54,460$26.18404.38
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$34,790$16.72400.61
Parking Attendants$31,070$14.94400.76
Information Security Analysts$107,520$51.69300.48
Computer Network Architects$102,630$49.34300.54
Computer Programmers$77,720$37.36301.05
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$95,750$46.04300.90
Healthcare Social Workers$61,760$29.69300.45
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$36,720$17.65300.54
Chiropractors$56,890$27.35302.19
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$82,110$39.48300.98
Emergency Medical Technicians$46,000$22.12300.47
Physical Therapist Assistants$62,040$29.83300.76
Skincare SpecialistsNot publishedNot published301.16
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$56,920$27.37300.59
Agricultural Equipment Operators$47,610$22.89302.96
Real Estate Brokers$41,440$19.92Not publishedNot published

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.