Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Ames, IA
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $62,430 a year, based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,340 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $63,970. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,580. There are 7.9 elementary school teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,190, close to the median.
Pay range for elementary school teachers, except special education in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,830 |
| 25th percentile | $49,940 |
| Median | $62,430 |
| 75th percentile | $76,530 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,340 |
| Average (mean) | $62,190 |
Half of elementary school teachers, except special education 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 | $5,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,601.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,401.15 |
| Weekly | $1,200.58 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because elementary school teachers, except special education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,670 | 4,030 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $62,270 | 890 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,650 | 1,760 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $61,650 | 3,640 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,430 | 980 |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,870 | 760 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $60,780 | 890 |
| Dubuque, IA | $57,840 | 560 |
Highest-paying states for elementary school teachers, except special education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,350 |
| California | $99,650 |
| District of Columbia | $96,580 |
| Massachusetts | $94,000 |
| Rhode Island | $90,930 |
| New York | $85,760 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 |
| Alaska | $79,260 |
| New Jersey | $78,200 |
| Maryland | $77,680 |
See Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $63,450 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $63,200 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $63,480 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $30,420 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $29,570 | $14.21 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $69,490 | $33.41 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| Library Technician | $45,880 | $22.06 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2021. 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 elementary school teachers, except special education make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for elementary school teachers, except special education in the Ames, IA metro area is $62,430 a year. Pay ranges from $48,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid elementary school teachers, except special education make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of elementary school teachers, except special education in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $80,340 a year. The top 25% earn $76,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for elementary school teachers, except special education in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,830 a year, and a quarter of elementary school teachers, except special education earn $49,940 or less.
How many elementary school teachers, except special education work in Ames, IA?
About 440 elementary school teachers, except special education are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.