Baker salary in Ames, IA
Bakers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $36,520 a year ($17.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,610 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $37,160. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $37,210. There are 1.5 bakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,870, close to the median.
Pay range for bakers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,360 | $10.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,150 | $13.54 |
| Median | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| 75th percentile | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Average (mean) | $34,870 | $16.77 |
Half of bakers 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 | $3,043.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,521.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,404.62 |
| Weekly | $702.31 |
| Hourly | $17.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Baker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $41,160 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37,680 | 700 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,390 | 130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $37,140 | 150 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,430 | 570 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $34,210 | 250 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,460 | 130 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,870 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for bakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $46,710 |
| Washington | $46,140 |
| District of Columbia | $44,040 |
| California | $43,120 |
| Colorado | $40,650 |
| Minnesota | $40,210 |
| Wyoming | $40,000 |
| Vermont | $39,980 |
| Alaska | $39,710 |
| Nevada | $39,540 |
See Baker pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $43,520 | $20.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3011. 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 baker make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for bakers in the Ames, IA metro area is $36,520 a year, or $17.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bakers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of bakers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $48,610 a year. The top 25% earn $38,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for bakers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,360 a year, and a quarter of bakers earn $28,150 or less.
How many bakers work in Ames, IA?
About 90 bakers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.