Civil Engineer salary in Ames, IA
Civil Engineers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $100,200 a year ($48.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,370 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $96,430. There are 5.2 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| 25th percentile | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Median | $100,200 | $48.17 |
| 75th percentile | $120,230 | $57.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,370 | $61.23 |
| Average (mean) | $100,720 | $48.42 |
Half of civil engineers 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 | $8,350 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,175 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,853.85 |
| Weekly | $1,926.92 |
| Hourly | $48.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $102,020 | 1,240 |
| Dubuque, IA | $99,210 | 120 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,430 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $97,330 | 830 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $95,540 | 290 |
| Iowa City, IA | $93,020 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $92,950 | 410 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $88,460 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,610 | $47.41 |
| Engineers, All Other | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,750 | $49.88 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,620 | $30.59 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $95,750 | $46.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. 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 civil engineer make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Ames, IA metro area is $100,200 a year, or $48.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $127,370 a year. The top 25% earn $120,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,350 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $77,550 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Ames, IA?
About 290 civil engineers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.