Cashier salary in Ames, IA
Cashiers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $29,230 a year ($14.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,430 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $32,880. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $28,970. There are 26 cashiers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cashiers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,280 | $11.19 |
| 25th percentile | $28,350 | $13.63 |
| Median | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| 75th percentile | $33,180 | $15.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,430 | $17.51 |
| Average (mean) | $30,470 | $14.65 |
Half of cashiers 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 | $2,435.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,217.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,124.23 |
| Weekly | $562.12 |
| Hourly | $14.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cashier salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $31,270 | 9,110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 4,250 |
| Dubuque, IA | $30,500 | 1,240 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $29,640 | 8,720 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,470 | 1,700 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,320 | 2,340 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,270 | 3,090 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,080 | 2,090 |
Highest-paying states for cashiers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $38,880 |
| Washington | $38,720 |
| California | $37,100 |
| Colorado | $36,870 |
| Hawaii | $36,780 |
| Alaska | $36,130 |
| Vermont | $35,720 |
| Connecticut | $35,550 |
| Massachusetts | $35,520 |
| New York | $35,500 |
See Cashier pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Salesperson | $32,460 | $15.60 |
| Parts Salesperson | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $38,780 | $18.65 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $68,680 | $33.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $105,330 | $50.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Real Estate Broker | $41,440 | $19.92 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 41-2011. 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 cashier make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for cashiers in the Ames, IA metro area is $29,230 a year, or $14.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cashiers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of cashiers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $36,430 a year. The top 25% earn $33,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for cashiers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,280 a year, and a quarter of cashiers earn $28,350 or less.
How many cashiers work in Ames, IA?
About 1,470 cashiers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.