SOC 25-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — Ames
Ames, IA · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Ames, IA is $36,330 a year, trailing the national median of $41,670 by 12.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Ames, IA is $36,330 a year, trailing the national median of $41,670 by 12.8%. Half of workers earn between $30,090 and $38,710. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $30,090 and the ninetieth at $47,390.
The area has 260 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.6 of every thousand jobs. Sioux City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $46,530. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 214th of 246 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,090 | −27.8% |
| 25th | $30,090 | −27.8% |
| Median (50th) | $36,330 | −12.8% |
| 75th | $38,710 | −7.1% |
| 90th | $47,390 | +13.7% |
| Mean | $37,200 | −10.7% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux City | $46,530 | 360 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $37,750 | 1,780 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $36,850 | 990 | |
| 4 | Iowa City | $36,850 | 470 | |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $36,710 | 650 | |
| 6 | Waterloo | $36,440 | 400 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Ames run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $36,330 goes as far as $41,378 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,330as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,378US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,330 a year, 12.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,090 to $47,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux City, at $46,530.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Ames, IA?
The median annual wage is $36,330, or $17.47 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 $41,670, so pay in Ames, IA is 12.8% 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 $47,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,090 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 Sioux City, at $46,530 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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