Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in Ames, IA

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

Median annual salary $59,950 +26.3% vs national
Median hourly $28.82
10th percentile $45,690
90th percentile $76,720
Employed locally 220
National median $47,460

Compare Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary & buying power

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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,690
    25th
    $48,910
    50th (median)
    $59,950
    75th
    $64,400
    90th
    $76,720

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary vs area income 84% Median Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary is 16% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $124,590
    Alaska $98,800
    Lexington Park, MD $89,040
    Lake Charles, LA $85,920
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $76,910
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $73,520

    Nearby metros — Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $70,030
    Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL $60,190
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $58,710
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $58,240
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $58,180
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $58,140

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$47,250
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$47,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$67,220
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$49,310
    Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,150
    Printing Press Operators$42,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in Ames, IA is $28.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.99 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salaries?

    The median Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary in Ames, IA is 26.3% above the national median of $47,460. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in Ames?

    Entry-level Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers (10th percentile) earn around $45,690 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,910.