General and Operations Managers Salary in Ames, IA
The median pay for a general and operations managers in Ames, IA is $85,550/year ($41.13/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $168K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.83), which stretches that salary to about $96,308 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,153/month, or 21.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $86K get you in Ames?
About general and operations managers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Ames, IA
Entry-level general and operations managers (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $86K.Top earners bring in $168K or more - a $132K spread from bottom to top.
General and Operations Managers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167K | +62% | 36,060 |
| New Jersey | $150K | +46% | 63,940 |
| Delaware | $137K | +33% | 4,740 |
| South Dakota | $133K | +30% | 4,440 |
| Washington | $130K | +27% | 53,800 |
| Connecticut | $130K | +26% | 46,780 |
| New York | $130K | +26% | 210,890 |
| California | $125K | +22% | 292,300 |
| Massachusetts | $124K | +20% | 105,350 |
| Rhode Island | $122K | +19% | 9,060 |
| Virginia | $122K | +18% | 99,710 |
| Alaska | $120K | +17% | 6,010 |
| Wisconsin | $113K | +10% | 35,520 |
| Indiana | $108K | +5% | 46,120 |
| New Hampshire | $107K | +4% | 21,180 |
Track general and operations managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Ames numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do general and operations managers make in Ames, IA?
The median is $85,550 a year - that works out to about $41.13 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,720, and experienced general and operations managers can clear $168,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $86K enough to live in Ames?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,343/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,153/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 21.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a general and operations managers salary go in Ames?
Ames has a Regional Price Parity of 88.83 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median general and operations managers salary is worth about $96,308 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do general and operations managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.