SOC 47-4011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Construction and Building Inspectors — Ames
Ames, IA · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Construction and Building Inspectors in Ames, IA is $79,740 per year, close to the national median of $74,690 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Construction and Building Inspectors in Ames, IA is $79,740 per year, close to the national median of $74,690 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $63,240 and $89,790. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $56,940 and the ninetieth at $94,740.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Iowa City records the highest median at $78,030. Of the 246 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 59th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,940 | −23.8% |
| 25th | $63,240 | −15.3% |
| Median (50th) | $79,740 | +6.8% |
| 75th | $89,790 | +20.2% |
| 90th | $94,740 | +26.8% |
| Mean | $76,960 | +3.0% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $78,030 | 60 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $73,910 | 390 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $73,440 | 110 | |
| 4 | Waterloo | $71,330 | 50 | |
| 5 | Sioux City | $68,770 | 30 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $68,210 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Ames run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $79,740 goes as far as $90,820 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$79,740as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$90,820US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $79,740 a year, 6.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $56,940 to $94,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Iowa City, at $78,030.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Construction and Building Inspectors in Ames, IA?
The median annual wage is $79,740, or $38.34 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $74,690, so pay in Ames, IA is 6.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Ames, IA earns more than $94,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $56,940 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Iowa City, at $78,030 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Ames, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data