How much does an inspector make in Ames?
$61,820a year
Median yearly pay for inspectors in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $29.72 an hour or $5,152 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.72
- Vs. national median
- +27%
- Rank among cities
- 19 of 388
- Jobs in the area
- 240
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $44,100Median: $61,820Highest 10%: $79,010
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,100 | $21.20 | |
| 25th | $49,470 | $23.78 | |
| Median | $61,820 | $29.72 | |
| 75th | $64,980 | $31.24 | |
| 90th | $79,010 | $37.99 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for inspectors.
| Sioux City, IA | $54,800 |
| Waterloo, IA | $51,250 |
| Davenport, IA | $51,190 |
| Des Moines, IA | $50,850 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,800 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,420 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,270 |
| Omaha, NE | $49,030 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $74,160 |
| Production Worker | $70,690 |
| Coating | $69,090 |
| Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender | $62,300 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $61,730 |
| Machinist | $60,200 |
| Welder | $58,560 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setter | $52,020 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,950 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setter | $49,670 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an inspector make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $29.72 ($61,820 a year).
Do inspectors make more in Ames than the national average?
Yes: $61,820 against $48,570 nationally, 27% more.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $50,740, so Ames pays 22% more.
Where does Ames rank for inspector pay?
19 of 388 metro areas with data.
How much does an inspector make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $44,100 or less a year; the top 10% make $79,010 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.