Human Resources Manager salary in Ames, IA
Human Resources Managers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $137,390 a year ($66.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,650 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $149,280. Pay here is 9% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $126,370. There are 1.1 human resources managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $154,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources managers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,810 | $47.51 |
| 25th percentile | $116,350 | $55.94 |
| Median | $137,390 | $66.05 |
| 75th percentile | $163,280 | $78.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $224,650 | $108.00 |
| Average (mean) | $154,530 | $74.30 |
Half of human resources 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 | $11,449.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,724.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,284.23 |
| Weekly | $2,642.12 |
| Hourly | $66.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $142,600 | 260 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $138,140 | 520 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $132,020 | 1,020 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $130,430 | 160 |
| Dubuque, IA | $129,670 | 70 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $125,970 | 80 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $125,430 | 60 |
| Iowa City, IA | $118,070 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for human resources managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $184,350 |
| Massachusetts | $181,780 |
| New York | $176,650 |
| New Jersey | $172,440 |
| California | $170,080 |
| Rhode Island | $167,110 |
| Colorado | $166,400 |
| Virginia | $165,980 |
| Connecticut | $165,930 |
| Washington | $165,530 |
See Human Resources Manager pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager | $124,010 | $59.62 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $131,340 | $63.14 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $113,930 | $54.77 |
| Facilities Manager | $88,910 | $42.75 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $104,930 | $50.45 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $103,440 | $49.73 |
| General and Operations Managers | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $103,730 | $49.87 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $55,600 | $26.73 |
| Construction Manager | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| Managers, All Other | $138,110 | $66.40 |
| Chief Executive | $206,090 | $99.08 |
| Marketing Manager | $132,050 | $63.49 |
| Sales Manager | $133,150 | $64.02 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-3121. 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 human resources manager make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for human resources managers in the Ames, IA metro area is $137,390 a year, or $66.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources managers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of human resources managers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $224,650 a year. The top 25% earn $163,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources managers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,810 a year, and a quarter of human resources managers earn $116,350 or less.
How many human resources managers work in Ames, IA?
About 60 human resources managers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.