Natural Sciences Manager salary in Ames, IA
Natural Sciences Managers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $116,540 a year ($56.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $191,960 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $167,220. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $109,760. There are 1.6 natural sciences managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $126,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for natural sciences managers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| 25th percentile | $96,480 | $46.39 |
| Median | $116,540 | $56.03 |
| 75th percentile | $151,070 | $72.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $191,960 | $92.29 |
| Average (mean) | $126,990 | $61.05 |
Half of natural sciences 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 | $9,711.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,855.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,482.31 |
| Weekly | $2,241.15 |
| Hourly | $56.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Natural Sciences Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,900 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $124,470 | 200 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $118,740 | n/a |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $101,530 | 40 |
| Iowa City, IA | $100,340 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for natural sciences managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $267,290 |
| Connecticut | $210,670 |
| California | $210,230 |
| New Jersey | $207,030 |
| Washington | $182,480 |
| North Carolina | $173,870 |
| Maryland | $168,620 |
| Illinois | $159,670 |
| District of Columbia | $156,730 |
| Kansas | $153,820 |
See Natural Sciences 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 |
| Construction Manager | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| 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 | — |
| 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 11-9121. 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 natural sciences manager make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for natural sciences managers in the Ames, IA metro area is $116,540 a year, or $56.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $191,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid natural sciences managers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of natural sciences managers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $191,960 a year. The top 25% earn $151,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for natural sciences managers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,270 a year, and a quarter of natural sciences managers earn $96,480 or less.
How many natural sciences managers work in Ames, IA?
About 90 natural sciences managers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.