Construction Laborer salary in Ames, IA
Construction Laborers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $49,810 a year ($23.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,380 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $47,120. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $48,490. There are 11 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,950 | $19.21 |
| 25th percentile | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Median | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| 75th percentile | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,380 | $34.32 |
| Average (mean) | $52,140 | $25.07 |
Half of construction laborers 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 | $4,150.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,075.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,915.77 |
| Weekly | $957.88 |
| Hourly | $23.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Construction Laborer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $54,380 | 1,320 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $49,980 | 3,510 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $49,950 | 710 |
| Dubuque, IA | $48,800 | 500 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,670 | 990 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,630 | 560 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,300 | 3,990 |
| Iowa City, IA | $47,940 | 800 |
Highest-paying states for construction laborers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 |
| Illinois | $60,690 |
| California | $60,270 |
| Minnesota | $60,260 |
| Connecticut | $58,290 |
| Alaska | $58,060 |
| Washington | $57,720 |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 |
See Construction Laborer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| Electrician | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,820 | $30.68 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,230 | $27.99 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $72,260 | $34.74 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $79,740 | $38.34 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2061. 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 construction laborer make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for construction laborers in the Ames, IA metro area is $49,810 a year, or $23.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of construction laborers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $71,380 a year. The top 25% earn $58,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,950 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $45,760 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Ames, IA?
About 600 construction laborers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.