Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in Ames, IA

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

Median annual salary $55,380 +0.2% vs national
Median hourly $26.62
10th percentile $35,730
90th percentile $70,200
Employed locally 30
National median $55,290

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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,730
    25th
    $48,500
    50th (median)
    $55,380
    75th
    $67,460
    90th
    $70,200

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary vs area income 78% Median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary is 22% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $80,150
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,180
    District of Columbia $69,210
    Napa, CA $67,250
    Boulder, CO $65,520
    Vallejo, CA $64,700

    Nearby metros — Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $69,210
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $64,480
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $63,090
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $62,680
    California $61,670
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $61,410

    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
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants $38,950
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $60,970

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Ames, IA is $26.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.38 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salaries?

    The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Ames, IA is 0.2% above the national median of $55,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Ames?

    Entry-level Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks (10th percentile) earn around $35,730 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,500.