Top Paying Jobs in Ames, IA
Ames, IA has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 14,950 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Family Medicine Physicians ($248,000), Chief Executives ($206,090), Dentists, General ($163,950). The cost of living index is 88.83 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,153/month.
$92K
Avg. median salary
88.83
Cost of living index
$1,153
Median 2BR rent
N/A
Population
Highest paying careers in Ames
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Software Developers | Technology | $129K | $62.23/hr |
| 12 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $128K | $61.34/hr |
| 13 | Lawyers | Legal | $125K | $60.19/hr |
| 14 | Financial Managers | Management | $124K | $59.62/hr |
| 15 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $118K | $56.85/hr |
| 16 | Natural Sciences Managers | Management | $117K | $56.03/hr |
| 17 | Industrial Production Managers | Management | $114K | $54.77/hr |
| 18 | Information Security Analysts | Technology | $108K | $51.69/hr |
| 19 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | Management | $107K | N/A |
| 20 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | Sales | $105K | $50.64/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Ames
Cost of living vs. national average-11.2% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,153/mo
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Compare Ames to other cities
Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
Remote work salary calculator
See what your salary is worth in Ames
Calculate take-home pay in Ames
After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in Ames?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Ames?
Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data