What this means Our calculation
18 of 21 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $100,170. Prices run 11% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (2.9%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+2.2% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Ames Government data
All 21 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $100,170 | +3% | $112,766 | 40 | #109 |
| Building Inspector | $79,740 | +18% | $89,767 | 40 | #57 |
| Construction Supervisor | $72,260 | -6% | $81,346 | 290 | #297 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $67,250 | +5% | $75,706 | 150 | #136 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $65,470 | +5% | $73,703 | 80 | #114 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $64,420 | +5% | $72,521 | 60 | #110 |
| Plumber | $63,820 | +4% | $71,845 | 160 | #155 |
| Electrician | $63,320 | +1% | $71,282 | 210 | #184 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $62,400 | +5% | $70,247 | 190 | #141 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,360 | +2% | $69,076 | 80 | #154 |
| HVAC Technician | $60,430 | +1% | $68,029 | 190 | #174 |
| Machinist | $60,200 | +6% | $67,770 | 60 | #98 |
| Auto Mechanic | $58,820 | +20% | $66,216 | 260 | #57 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $58,790 | +14% | $66,183 | 50 | #67 |
| Welder | $58,560 | +12% | $65,924 | 170 | #83 |
| Concrete Finisher | $58,230 | +2% | $65,552 | 60 | #154 |
| Carpenter | $55,640 | -1% | $62,636 | 210 | #204 |
| Maintenance Technician | $54,770 | +13% | $61,657 | 670 | #65 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,810 | +6% | $56,073 | 600 | #128 |
| Painter | $44,780 | -6% | $50,411 | 70 | #273 |
| Landscaper | $44,580 | +19% | $50,186 | 390 | #65 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Ames
The Ames area has about 54,437 homes. 51% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 14% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 58% of households own their home, and the median home value is $279,700.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Ames Government data
In an average year, Ames has 17 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 147 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 62 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 82°F and winter nights 14°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Ames Muni Airport, IA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
2.9% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Ames area's population grew 2.2% from 2020 to 2025 (125,363 → 128,090), ranking #209 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +2,176) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Ames are roughly flat from 2021 to 2025 (394 → 392). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Ames area is 19 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 8% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 69% drive alone, 5% take transit and 9% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Iowa Official source
The main state licensing office in Iowa is the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Iowa licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 6.8% of wage and salary workers in Iowa were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#28 of 51 states and D.C.), and 8.2% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Iowa.