Project Management Specialist salary in Ames, IA
Project Management Specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $97,290 a year ($46.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,210 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $102,320. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $96,540. There are 4.7 project management specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $107,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for project management specialists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,720 | $30.16 |
| 25th percentile | $80,280 | $38.60 |
| Median | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| 75th percentile | $126,940 | $61.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,210 | $71.74 |
| Average (mean) | $107,870 | $51.86 |
Half of project management specialists 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 | $8,107.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,053.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,741.92 |
| Weekly | $1,870.96 |
| Hourly | $46.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Project Management Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $104,690 | 290 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $102,880 | 650 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $101,150 | 2,640 |
| Iowa City, IA | $96,820 | 420 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $93,760 | 850 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $85,130 | 200 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $82,460 | 1,670 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $81,600 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for project management specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $124,160 |
| New Jersey | $122,980 |
| Delaware | $122,190 |
| New York | $121,040 |
| California | $120,910 |
| Virginia | $120,840 |
| Massachusetts | $114,190 |
| Colorado | $110,050 |
| New Mexico | $106,970 |
| Oregon | $105,480 |
See Project Management Specialist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Fundraiser | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Logistician | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 | $40.61 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1082. 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 project management specialist make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for project management specialists in the Ames, IA metro area is $97,290 a year, or $46.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid project management specialists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of project management specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $149,210 a year. The top 25% earn $126,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for project management specialists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,720 a year, and a quarter of project management specialists earn $80,280 or less.
How many project management specialists work in Ames, IA?
About 260 project management specialists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.