Social and Human Service Assistants Salary in Ames, IA

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

Median annual salary $37,000 -18% vs national
Median hourly $17.79
10th percentile $30,070
90th percentile $57,860
Employed locally 200
National median $45,120

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Social and Human Service Assistants
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,070
    25th
    $34,120
    50th (median)
    $37,000
    75th
    $46,420
    90th
    $57,860

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Social and Human Service Assistants salary vs area income 52% Median Social and Human Service Assistants salary is 48% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Social and Human Service Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,230
    Amherst Town-Northampton, MA $59,900
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $59,230
    Modesto, CA $57,330
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,220
    District of Columbia $57,210

    Nearby metros — Social and Human Service Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,230
    District of Columbia $57,210
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $54,170
    California $51,780
    Visalia, CA $50,030
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $48,610

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$48,570
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$44,950
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$66,320
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$42,920
    Healthcare Social Workers$62,500

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in Ames, IA is $17.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.17 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Social and Human Service Assistants salaries?

    The median Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Ames, IA is 18% below the national median of $45,120. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Social and Human Service Assistants in Ames?

    Entry-level Social and Human Service Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $30,070 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,120.