H-1B salaries in Ames, IA
Based on 276 certified H-1B filings in the Ames, IA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Base salary only.
Median salary$84,006
Middle 50%$64.5k–$105.3k
vs. national median−32%comparison median $122,699
Filings276FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
National median
$25k$50k$75k$100k$125k$150k$175k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $58,656 |
| 25th | $64,451 |
| 50th (median) | $84,006 |
| 75th | $105,255 |
| 90th | $144,067 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $68,598 | $56,000 | $86,536 | 165 |
| FY2021 | $65,000 | $55,720 | $89,000 | 163 |
| FY2022 | $68,750 | $54,468 | $90,115 | 184 |
| FY2023 | $70,493 | $55,328 | $95,992 | 165 |
| FY2024 | $80,500 | $59,450 | $101,125 | 136 |
| FY2025 | $83,700 | $64,022 | $100,709 | 167 |
| FY2026 | $85,260 | $64,459 | $117,000 | 109 |
Cost of living
Ames's median H-1B salary of $84,006 is worth about $94,600 at national average prices.
Fair market rent, 1-bedroom$944Per month. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2027 (Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area).
Fair market rent, 2-bedroom$1,061Per month. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2027 (Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area).
Price level (U.S. = 100)88.8Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Price-adjusted median$94,600Median salary ÷ (price level ÷ 100).
State income tax on wagesIA: yesSource: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2025.
Most filed jobs
| Job | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $92,500 | 28 |
| Materials Scientist | $80,000 | 22 |
| Engineering Professor | $100,330 | 17 |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $59,159 | 15 |
| Computer Science Professor | $121,888 | 11 |
| Data Scientist | $76,097 | 10 |