Highway Maintenance Workers Salary in Ames, IA

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

Median annual salary $58,080 +18.4% vs national
Median hourly $27.93
10th percentile $47,190
90th percentile $69,170
Employed locally 110
National median $49,070

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Highway Maintenance Workers
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,190
    25th
    $50,290
    50th (median)
    $58,080
    75th
    $63,780
    90th
    $69,170

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Highway Maintenance Workers salary vs area income 82% Median Highway Maintenance Workers salary is 18% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Highway Maintenance Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $76,980
    Vallejo, CA $74,970
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $74,720
    Kankakee, IL $71,150
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $69,060
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $69,060

    Nearby metros — Highway Maintenance Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $69,060
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $64,880
    Dubuque, IA $60,940
    Peoria, IL $59,460
    California $58,300
    Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $58,270

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $48,520
    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

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Highway Maintenance Workers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Highway Maintenance Workers in Ames, IA is $27.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.42 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Highway Maintenance Workers salaries?

    The median Highway Maintenance Workers salary in Ames, IA is 18.4% above the national median of $49,070. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Highway Maintenance Workers in Ames?

    Entry-level Highway Maintenance Workers (10th percentile) earn around $47,190 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,290.