Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Salary in Ames, IA

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

Median annual salary $38,950 -12.7% vs national
Median hourly $18.73
10th percentile $31,870
90th percentile $47,640
Employed locally 420
National median $44,640

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Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,870
    25th
    $35,990
    50th (median)
    $38,950
    75th
    $41,760
    90th
    $47,640

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary vs area income 55% Median Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary is 45% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $67,380
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,090
    Napa, CA $60,940
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $60,470
    Vallejo, CA $60,260
    Bellingham, WA $57,360

    Nearby metros — Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $52,720
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $51,480
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $50,750
    Iowa City, IA $48,710
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $48,330
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $47,640

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Office Clerks, General $41,730
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $47,480
    Customer Service Representatives $38,550
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $47,370
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $60,970
    Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks $44,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in Ames, IA is $18.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.57 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salaries?

    The median Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in Ames, IA is 12.7% below the national median of $44,640. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in Ames?

    Entry-level Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $31,870 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,990.