Agricultural Technician salary in Ames, IA
Agricultural Technicians in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $48,430 a year ($23.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,520 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $49,630. Pay here is 24% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $64,070. There are 2.4 agricultural technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 25.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for agricultural technicians in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 25th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Median | $48,430 | $23.29 |
| 75th percentile | $61,180 | $29.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,520 | $34.87 |
| Average (mean) | $50,660 | $24.36 |
Half of agricultural technicians 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 | $4,035.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,017.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,862.69 |
| Weekly | $931.35 |
| Hourly | $23.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Agricultural Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $65,300 | n/a |
| Iowa City, IA | $59,820 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $43,960 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $40,110 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $38,030 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Iowa | $64,070 |
| Wyoming | $63,120 |
| Arizona | $62,990 |
| California | $60,320 |
| Kentucky | $59,860 |
| Minnesota | $57,310 |
| New Jersey | $54,370 |
| Missouri | $54,060 |
| Delaware | $52,510 |
| North Carolina | $51,470 |
See Agricultural Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,080 | $31.29 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| Chemist | $84,300 | $40.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4012. 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 agricultural technician make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for agricultural technicians in the Ames, IA metro area is $48,430 a year, or $23.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural technicians make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of agricultural technicians in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $72,520 a year. The top 25% earn $61,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural technicians in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,110 a year, and a quarter of agricultural technicians earn $37,440 or less.
How many agricultural technicians work in Ames, IA?
About 140 agricultural technicians are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.