SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — Ames
Ames, IA · 7 metro areas compared
At $37,430, median pay for Security Guards in Ames, IA tracks the national median of $38,020 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $37,430, median pay for Security Guards in Ames, IA tracks the national median of $38,020 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $35,580 and $48,020. The lowest tenth earn under $30,010, while the highest tenth earn more than $53,260.
Employment stands at 260, or 4.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Iowa City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $39,540. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 207th of 246 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,010 | −21.1% |
| 25th | $35,580 | −6.4% |
| Median (50th) | $37,430 | −1.6% |
| 75th | $48,020 | +26.3% |
| 90th | $53,260 | +40.1% |
| Mean | $42,590 | +12.0% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $39,540 | 270 | |
| 2 | Waterloo | $38,670 | 380 | |
| 3 | Sioux City | $38,480 | 350 | |
| 4 | Dubuque | $37,620 | 170 | |
| 5 | Des Moines | $37,550 | 2,360 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $36,940 | 1,070 | |
| 7 | Davenport | $36,800 | 1,040 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Ames run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $37,430 goes as far as $42,631 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,430as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,631US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,430 a year, 1.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,010 to $53,260 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Iowa City, at $39,540.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security Guards in Ames, IA?
The median annual wage is $37,430, or $17.99 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 $38,020, so pay in Ames, IA is 1.6% 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 $53,260 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,010 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 $39,540 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 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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