Construction Manager salary in Ames, IA
Construction Managers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $96,720 a year ($46.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,600 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $114,990. Pay here is 3% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $99,280. There are 2.2 construction managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $107,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction managers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,140 | $36.13 |
| 25th percentile | $84,250 | $40.51 |
| Median | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| 75th percentile | $123,140 | $59.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,600 | $75.77 |
| Average (mean) | $107,290 | $51.58 |
Half of construction managers 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 | $8,060 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,030 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,720 |
| Weekly | $1,860 |
| Hourly | $46.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Construction Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $114,960 | 140 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $103,920 | 1,020 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $102,520 | 1,800 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $102,360 | 460 |
| Dubuque, IA | $102,240 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $98,380 | 280 |
| Iowa City, IA | $97,710 | 140 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $92,100 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for construction managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $155,360 |
| Washington | $155,070 |
| Massachusetts | $145,010 |
| Alaska | $139,190 |
| New Jersey | $138,230 |
| California | $133,160 |
| Delaware | $132,150 |
| Oregon | $131,420 |
| New Hampshire | $129,260 |
| Hawaii | $128,910 |
See Construction Manager pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $103,730 | $49.87 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $55,600 | $26.73 |
| Managers, All Other | $138,110 | $66.40 |
| Food Service Manager | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $137,010 | $65.87 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $106,520 | — |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $116,540 | $56.03 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $47,660 | $22.92 |
| General and Operations Managers | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Financial Manager | $124,010 | $59.62 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $131,340 | $63.14 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $113,930 | $54.77 |
| Chief Executive | $206,090 | $99.08 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9021. 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 manager make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for construction managers in the Ames, IA metro area is $96,720 a year, or $46.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction managers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of construction managers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $157,600 a year. The top 25% earn $123,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction managers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,140 a year, and a quarter of construction managers earn $84,250 or less.
How many construction managers work in Ames, IA?
About 120 construction managers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.