Human Resources Specialists Salary in Ames, IA

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

Median annual salary $68,990 -5.4% vs national
Median hourly $33.17
10th percentile $47,470
90th percentile $116,190
Employed locally 250
National median $72,910

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Human Resources Specialists
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,470
    25th
    $58,500
    50th (median)
    $68,990
    75th
    $82,140
    90th
    $116,190

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Human Resources Specialists salary vs area income 97% Median Human Resources Specialists salary is 3% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Human Resources Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $114,080
    District of Columbia $102,500
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,600
    Lexington Park, MD $97,490
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $97,340
    Parkersburg-Vienna, WV $89,860

    Nearby metros — Human Resources Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $102,500
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $97,340
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $84,180
    California $81,810
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $80,030
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,240

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Business Operations Specialists, All Other $64,930
    Accountants and Auditors $76,250
    Project Management Specialists $83,870
    Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $61,440
    Compliance Officers $75,780
    Management Analysts $83,440

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Human Resources Specialists make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Human Resources Specialists in Ames, IA is $33.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.97 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Human Resources Specialists salaries?

    The median Human Resources Specialists salary in Ames, IA is 5.4% below the national median of $72,910. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Human Resources Specialists in Ames?

    Entry-level Human Resources Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $47,470 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,500.