Career Atlas USA

Careers in Ames, IA

Part of Iowa.

Ames, IA’s regional price level is below the national average (index 88.83, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 3.2% · 64,779 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Family Medicine Physicians$248,000
  2. 2Chief Executives$206,090
  3. 3Dentists, General$163,950
  4. 4Pharmacists$139,690
  5. 5Managers, All Other$138,110

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Fast Food and Counter Workers1,620 employed
  2. 2Cashiers1,470 employed
  3. 3Retail Salespersons1,460 employed
  4. 4Stockers and Order Fillers1,110 employed
  5. 5Registered Nurses1,070 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Farm and Home Management Educators33.67× national avg
  2. 2Agricultural Technicians25.16× national avg
  3. 3Soil and Plant Scientists23.82× national avg
  4. 4Biological Scientists, All Other8.21× national avg
  5. 5Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians6.23× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Family Medicine Physicians$279,185
  2. 2Chief Executives$232,005
  3. 3Dentists, General$184,566
  4. 4Pharmacists$157,255
  5. 5Managers, All Other$155,477

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see Iowa state page.