Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in Ames, IA

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

Median annual salary $53,530 -6.8% vs national
Median hourly $25.74
10th percentile $38,790
90th percentile $66,800
Employed locally 670
National median $57,440

Compare Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary & buying power

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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,790
    25th
    $46,790
    50th (median)
    $53,530
    75th
    $58,180
    90th
    $66,800

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary vs area income 75% Median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary is 25% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lincoln, NE $92,890
    Fairbanks-College, AK $73,540
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $73,500
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $69,290
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $65,540
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $65,220

    Nearby metros — Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $63,610
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $62,880
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $62,060
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $61,750
    Indiana $60,090
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $60,000

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $36,180
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $39,180
    Bus Drivers, School $52,020
    Light Truck Drivers $40,090
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $56,480
    Driver/Sales Workers $29,800

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Ames, IA is $25.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.27 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries?

    The median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Ames, IA is 6.8% below the national median of $57,440. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Ames?

    Entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (10th percentile) earn around $38,790 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,790.