Residential Advisor salary in Ames, IA
Residential Advisors in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $48,230 a year ($23.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,440 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $42,240. Pay here is 31% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $36,850. There are 1.1 residential advisors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for residential advisors in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| 25th percentile | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Median | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| 75th percentile | $50,220 | $24.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,440 | $34.35 |
| Average (mean) | $50,270 | $24.17 |
Half of residential advisors 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 | $4,019.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,009.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,855 |
| Weekly | $927.50 |
| Hourly | $23.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Residential Advisor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $43,990 | 70 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,350 | 70 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $38,310 | 160 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,170 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $38,120 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $35,690 | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,620 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for residential advisors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,010 |
| Minnesota | $48,770 |
| Washington | $48,640 |
| North Dakota | $48,590 |
| New York | $48,380 |
| Massachusetts | $48,190 |
| Montana | $47,230 |
| Oregon | $47,160 |
| Maryland | $46,950 |
| California | $46,650 |
See Residential Advisor pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| Recreation Worker | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,100 | $13.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $43,830 | $21.07 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9041. 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 residential advisor make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for residential advisors in the Ames, IA metro area is $48,230 a year, or $23.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid residential advisors make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of residential advisors in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $71,440 a year. The top 25% earn $50,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for residential advisors in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,170 a year, and a quarter of residential advisors earn $37,090 or less.
How many residential advisors work in Ames, IA?
About 60 residential advisors are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.