Retail Salesperson salary in Ames, IA
Retail Salespersons in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $32,460 a year ($15.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,130 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $31,360. There are 26 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,450 | $12.71 |
| 25th percentile | $28,730 | $13.81 |
| Median | $32,460 | $15.60 |
| 75th percentile | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Average (mean) | $35,090 | $16.87 |
Half of retail salespersons 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 | $2,705 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,352.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,248.46 |
| Weekly | $624.23 |
| Hourly | $15.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Retail Salesperson salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $33,430 | 3,410 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,430 | 11,000 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $33,260 | 12,080 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,030 | 4,760 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $31,270 | 2,460 |
| Dubuque, IA | $30,960 | 1,810 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,150 | 2,220 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,940 | 2,710 |
Highest-paying states for retail salespersons
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $39,560 |
| District of Columbia | $38,500 |
| California | $38,440 |
| Colorado | $37,950 |
| Hawaii | $37,790 |
| New York | $37,720 |
| Vermont | $37,400 |
| Alaska | $37,290 |
| Oregon | $36,770 |
| Maine | $36,640 |
See Retail Salesperson pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| Parts Salesperson | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $38,780 | $18.65 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $68,680 | $33.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $105,330 | $50.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Real Estate Broker | $41,440 | $19.92 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 41-2031. 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 retail salesperson make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Ames, IA metro area is $32,460 a year, or $15.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $46,130 a year. The top 25% earn $36,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,450 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $28,730 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Ames, IA?
About 1,460 retail salespersons are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.