Nursing Assistant salary in Ames, IA
Nursing Assistants in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $43,540 a year ($20.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,920 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 11% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $39,350. There are 14 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,980, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| 25th percentile | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Median | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| 75th percentile | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Average (mean) | $42,980 | $20.66 |
Half of nursing assistants 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 | $3,628.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,814.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,674.62 |
| Weekly | $837.31 |
| Hourly | $20.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $43,940 | 4,660 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,580 | 1,010 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $40,020 | 7,740 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,330 | 1,310 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $39,110 | 1,740 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,940 | 930 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,930 | 1,440 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $38,740 | 2,220 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,660 | $17.14 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| Dental Assistant | $49,140 | $23.63 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,240 | $18.39 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,040 | $29.83 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. 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 nursing assistant make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Ames, IA metro area is $43,540 a year, or $20.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $48,920 a year. The top 25% earn $47,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,010 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $38,520 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Ames, IA?
About 770 nursing assistants are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.