Chief Executive salary in Ames, IA
Chief Executives in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $206,090 a year ($99.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $338,090 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $213,990. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $211,190. There are 1.9 chief executives per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $222,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chief executives in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,390 | $45.38 |
| 25th percentile | $132,020 | $63.47 |
| Median | $206,090 | $99.08 |
| 75th percentile | $294,840 | $141.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $338,090 | $162.54 |
| Average (mean) | $222,990 | $107.21 |
Half of chief executives 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 | $17,174.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,587.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,926.54 |
| Weekly | $3,963.27 |
| Hourly | $99.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chief Executive salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $290,870 | 1,230 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $228,220 | 1,330 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $220,590 | 130 |
| Dubuque, IA | $212,880 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $205,340 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $205,030 | 200 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $199,010 | 110 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $182,210 | 290 |
Highest-paying states for chief executives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 |
| Washington | $339,810 |
| Illinois | $331,920 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 |
| Virginia | $310,740 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 |
| New York | $257,980 |
See Chief Executive pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $103,730 | $49.87 |
| Financial Manager | $124,010 | $59.62 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $55,600 | $26.73 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $131,340 | $63.14 |
| Construction Manager | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $113,930 | $54.77 |
| Managers, All Other | $138,110 | $66.40 |
| Facilities Manager | $88,910 | $42.75 |
| Marketing Manager | $132,050 | $63.49 |
| Sales Manager | $133,150 | $64.02 |
| Food Service Manager | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $137,010 | $65.87 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-1011. 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 chief executive make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for chief executives in the Ames, IA metro area is $206,090 a year, or $99.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $338,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chief executives make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of chief executives in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $338,090 a year. The top 25% earn $294,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for chief executives in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,390 a year, and a quarter of chief executives earn $132,020 or less.
How many chief executives work in Ames, IA?
About 110 chief executives are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.