Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $52,460 +5.6% vs national
Median hourly $25.22
10th percentile $36,410
90th percentile $82,000
Employed locally 280
National median $49,670

Compare Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary & buying power

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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,410
    25th
    $38,240
    50th (median)
    $52,460
    75th
    $65,890
    90th
    $82,000

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary vs area income 74% Median Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary is 26% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $77,260
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $74,590
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $71,360
    District of Columbia $71,030
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $68,890
    Napa, CA $67,270

    Nearby metros — Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $71,030
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $64,060
    California $63,370
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $62,970
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $61,080
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $60,240

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Maintenance and Repair Workers, General $52,370
    Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers $60,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers $76,340
    Industrial Machinery Mechanics $74,510
    Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines $63,880
    Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists $60,380

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in Ames, IA is $25.22, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.79 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries?

    The median Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary in Ames, IA is 5.6% above the national median of $49,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in Ames?

    Entry-level Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (10th percentile) earn around $36,410 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,240.