Construction Laborers Salary in Ames, IA

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

Median annual salary $48,520 +3.8% vs national
Median hourly $23.33
10th percentile $38,530
90th percentile $59,590
Employed locally 530
National median $46,730

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Construction Laborers
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,530
    25th
    $42,950
    50th (median)
    $48,520
    75th
    $55,580
    90th
    $59,590

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Construction Laborers salary vs area income 68% Median Construction Laborers salary is 32% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Construction Laborers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $76,150
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $72,800
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $71,820
    Urban Honolulu, HI $70,450
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $68,410
    Hawaii $66,100

    Nearby metros — Construction Laborers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Peoria, IL $63,460
    California $60,540
    Columbia, MO $59,180
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $57,030
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $56,490
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $55,700

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$75,910
    Carpenters$57,170
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$61,540
    Electricians$64,360
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$62,190
    Highway Maintenance Workers$58,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Construction Laborers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Construction Laborers in Ames, IA is $23.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.32 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Construction Laborers salaries?

    The median Construction Laborers salary in Ames, IA is 3.8% above the national median of $46,730. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Construction Laborers in Ames?

    Entry-level Construction Laborers (10th percentile) earn around $38,530 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,950.