Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary in Ames, IA
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $30,420 a year, based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,500 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $36,780. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $30,510. There are 14 teaching assistants, except postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,500 |
| 25th percentile | $27,830 |
| Median | $30,420 |
| 75th percentile | $34,670 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,500 |
| Average (mean) | $30,720 |
Half of teaching assistants, except postsecondary 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 | $2,535 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,267.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,170 |
| Weekly | $585 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because teaching assistants, except postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $35,910 | 5,210 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $34,620 | 5,140 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $34,530 | 2,100 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $32,890 | 1,870 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,880 | 990 |
| Dubuque, IA | $30,410 | 710 |
| Iowa City, IA | $30,340 | 1,290 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,900 | 1,350 |
Highest-paying states for teaching assistants, except postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,120 |
| District of Columbia | $46,920 |
| Maine | $46,750 |
| California | $46,490 |
| Vermont | $43,800 |
| Minnesota | $40,100 |
| Oregon | $39,850 |
| Massachusetts | $39,380 |
| Virginia | $38,520 |
| New Hampshire | $38,440 |
See Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Coordinator | $69,490 | $33.41 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,430 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $63,450 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $63,200 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $29,570 | $14.21 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $63,480 | — |
| Library Technician | $45,880 | $22.06 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-9045. 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 teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in the Ames, IA metro area is $30,420 a year. Pay ranges from $22,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of teaching assistants, except postsecondary in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $36,500 a year. The top 25% earn $34,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,500 a year, and a quarter of teaching assistants, except postsecondary earn $27,830 or less.
How many teaching assistants, except postsecondary work in Ames, IA?
About 780 teaching assistants, except postsecondary are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.