Highest paying jobs in Ames, IA
The best paying occupations in the Ames, IA metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 11.2% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianAmes, IA | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $248,000 | $155,410 – $590,310 | 60 |
| 2 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $206,090 | $94,390 – $338,090 | 110 |
| 3 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $163,950 | $97,050 – $275,260 | 40 |
| 4 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $139,690 | $114,540 – $173,070 | 70 |
| 5 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $138,110 | $64,090 – $227,960 | 120 |
| 6 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $137,390 | $98,810 – $224,650 | 60 |
| 7 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $137,010 | $112,120 – $162,470 | 90 |
| 8 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $133,150 | $72,450 – $235,760 | 110 |
| 9 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $132,050 | $74,570 – $217,170 | 110 |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $131,340 | $99,210 – $225,650 | 130 |
| 11 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $129,440 | $74,990 – $165,040 | 470 |
| 12 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $127,600 | $79,660 – $172,140 | 70 |
| 13 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $125,200 | $69,990 – $216,730 | 90 |
| 14 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,010 | $76,510 – $229,400 | 220 |
| 15 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $118,240 | $83,020 – $200,180 | 80 |
| 16 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $116,540 | $60,270 – $191,960 | 90 |
| 17 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $113,930 | $72,610 – $194,310 | 120 |
| 18 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $107,520 | $69,090 – $157,390 | 30 |
| 19 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $106,520 | $78,790 – $160,490 | 90 |
| 20 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $105,330 | $62,570 – $194,080 | 120 |
| 21 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $104,930 | $67,410 – $157,990 | 60 |
| 22 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $103,750 | $69,950 – $149,300 | 40 |
| 23 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,730 | $75,070 – $168,120 | 280 |
| 24 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,440 | $81,620 – $147,490 | 40 |
| 25 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,930 | $77,000 – $128,980 | 60 |
| 26 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $102,630 | $62,200 – $150,870 | 30 |
| 27 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $100,200 | $66,350 – $127,370 | 290 |
| 28 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $100,170 | $76,200 – $111,370 | 40 |
| 29 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $98,610 | $70,830 – $137,090 | 120 |
| 30 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $97,700 | $43,680 – $200,000 | 1,040 |
| 31 | Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $97,290 | $62,720 – $149,210 | 260 |
| 32 | Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree | $96,920 | $69,360 – $120,030 | 220 |
| 33 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $96,720 | $75,140 – $157,600 | 120 |
| 34 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersBachelor's degree | $96,560 | $53,270 – $131,640 | 40 |
| 35 | Architects, Except Landscape and NavalBachelor's degree | $95,750 | $58,530 – $150,470 | 30 |
| 36 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $95,260 | $74,950 – $134,190 | 50 |
| 37 | Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $93,720 | $58,460 – $167,250 | 110 |
| 38 | Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree | $92,310 | $36,720 – $161,530 | 160 |
| 39 | Financial and Investment AnalystsBachelor's degree | $90,650 | $51,750 – $133,360 | 40 |
| 40 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $90,610 | $67,530 – $119,890 | 70 |
| 41 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $90,590 | $53,670 – $188,800 | 40 |
| 42 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $89,130 | $78,610 – $95,160 | 80 |
| 43 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $88,910 | $62,710 – $138,250 | 110 |
| 44 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $88,650 | $62,910 – $132,690 | 140 |
| 45 | Management AnalystsBachelor's degree | $88,510 | $63,330 – $134,560 | 150 |
| 46 | FirefightersPostsecondary nondegree award | $86,010 | $38,440 – $86,010 | 60 |
| 47 | Loan OfficersBachelor's degree | $84,470 | $56,170 – $157,140 | 70 |
| 48 | ChemistsBachelor's degree | $84,300 | $55,710 – $143,210 | 40 |
| 49 | Budget AnalystsBachelor's degree | $84,030 | $63,760 – $98,350 | 80 |
| 50 | Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree | $83,170 | $62,740 – $108,360 | 60 |