SOC 25-2022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — Ames
Ames, IA · 6 metro areas compared
At $63,200, median pay for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Ames, IA tracks the national median of $64,370 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $63,200, median pay for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Ames, IA tracks the national median of $64,370 closely. Pay ranges from under $47,580 at the tenth percentile to more than $80,760 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $50,360 to $77,620.
Employment stands at 250, or 4.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Cedar Rapids records the highest median at $63,040. Of the 246 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 102nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,580 | −26.1% |
| 25th | $50,360 | −21.8% |
| Median (50th) | $63,200 | −1.8% |
| 75th | $77,620 | +20.6% |
| 90th | $80,760 | +25.5% |
| Mean | $64,250 | −0.2% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $63,040 | 780 | |
| 2 | Davenport | $62,800 | 790 | |
| 3 | Iowa City | $61,380 | 410 | |
| 4 | Des Moines | $60,980 | 1,150 | |
| 5 | Waterloo | $60,460 | 400 | |
| 6 | Sioux City | $57,900 | 290 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Ames run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $63,200 goes as far as $71,982 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$71,982US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,200 a year, 1.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,580 to $80,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 250 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cedar Rapids, at $63,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Ames, IA?
The median annual wage is $63,200, 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 $64,370, so pay in Ames, IA is 1.8% lower. 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 $80,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,580 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 Cedar Rapids, at $63,040 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 250 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.
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