How much does a preschool teacher make in Ames?
$30,590a year
Median yearly pay for preschool teachers in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $14.71 an hour or $2,549 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.71
- Vs. national median
- -20%
- Rank among cities
- 325 of 383
- Jobs in the area
- 290
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,500Median: $30,590Highest 10%: $47,390
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,500 | $13.70 | |
| 25th | $29,450 | $14.16 | |
| Median | $30,590 | $14.71 | |
| 75th | $36,980 | $17.78 | |
| 90th | $47,390 | $22.78 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for preschool teachers.
| Omaha, NE | $44,440 |
| Sioux City, IA | $37,840 |
| Davenport, IA | $37,200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $34,880 |
| Des Moines, IA | $33,850 |
| Dubuque, IA | $31,130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $30,720 |
| Waterloo, IA | $30,420 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Instructional Coordinator | $69,490 |
| Special Education Teacher | $63,480 |
| Secondary School Teacher | $63,450 |
| Middle School Teacher | $63,200 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,430 |
| Farm and Home Management Educator | $60,840 |
| Librarian and Media Collections Specialist | $60,610 |
| Substitute Teacher | $36,330 |
| Teaching Assistant | $30,420 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $29,570 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teacher make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $14.71 ($30,590 a year).
Do preschool teachers make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $30,590 against $38,140 nationally, 20% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $33,830, so Ames pays 10% less.
Where does Ames rank for preschool teacher pay?
325 of 383 metro areas with data.
How much does a preschool teacher make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,500 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,390 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.