Accountants and Auditors salary in Ames, IA
Accountants and Auditors in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $79,320 a year ($38.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,450 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $83,680. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $77,440. There are 9.6 accountants and auditors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for accountants and auditors in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,370 | $25.18 |
| 25th percentile | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Median | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| 75th percentile | $98,100 | $47.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,450 | $60.79 |
| Average (mean) | $84,740 | $40.74 |
Half of accountants and auditors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,610 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,305 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,050.77 |
| Weekly | $1,525.38 |
| Hourly | $38.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Accountants and Auditors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $79,290 | 4,850 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,650 | 520 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,600 | 1,560 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,180 | 1,190 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $77,030 | 5,170 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,100 | 790 |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,140 | 450 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $73,530 | 540 |
Highest-paying states for accountants and auditors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 |
| New York | $102,640 |
| New Jersey | $100,830 |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 |
| Connecticut | $97,550 |
| California | $97,050 |
| Colorado | $97,030 |
| Washington | $96,550 |
| Rhode Island | $95,820 |
| Delaware | $95,020 |
See Accountants and Auditors pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Analyst | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 | $40.61 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $90,590 | $43.55 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,980 | $23.07 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountants and auditors make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for accountants and auditors in the Ames, IA metro area is $79,320 a year, or $38.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid accountants and auditors make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of accountants and auditors in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $126,450 a year. The top 25% earn $98,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for accountants and auditors in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,370 a year, and a quarter of accountants and auditors earn $62,960 or less.
How many accountants and auditors work in Ames, IA?
About 530 accountants and auditors are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.