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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | Production & Manufacturing | $74K | $35.65/hr |
| 72 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Public Safety | $74K | $35.5/hr |
| 73 | Occupational Therapists | Healthcare | $74K | $35.49/hr |
| 74 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | Construction & Trades | $72K | $34.74/hr |
| 75 | Production Workers, All Other | Production & Manufacturing | $71K | $33.99/hr |
| 76 | Human Resources Specialists | Business & Finance | $70K | $33.68/hr |
| 77 | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | Community & Social | $70K | $33.53/hr |
| 78 | Instructional Coordinators | Education | $69K | $33.41/hr |
| 79 | Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Production & Manufacturing | $69K | $33.22/hr |
| 80 | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Business & Finance | $69K | $33.12/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
