Ames Laboratory Salary

Ames Laboratory Salary

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As of April 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Ames Laboratory in the United States is $76,031. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $37. Salaries at Ames Laboratory typically range from $66,715 to $86,834 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Ames Laboratory Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Ames Laboratory. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Program Director Paradise Valley Area, with an annual salary of $172,930. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Direct Care Worker

$29,582 / year

Salary Range: $27,512 - $32,795

Healthcare

Program Supervisor East Valley

$83,400 / year

Salary Range: $71,968 - $91,652

Terminal Operations

Overnight Caregivers

$36,954 / year

Salary Range: $33,333 - $41,438

Security Services

Program Director

$87,344 / year

Salary Range: $76,931 - $98,909

Safety and Security

Overnight/Weekend Caregivers

$40,572 / year

Salary Range: $36,579 - $45,402

Security Services

Program Director East Valley

$115,599 / year

Salary Range: $98,653 - $133,801

Security Specialization

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Ames Laboratory.
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About Ames Laboratory: Company Profile

Website
www.ameslab.gov
Founded In
1947
Employees
200 - 500 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Location
AMES
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About AMES LABORATORY
Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Laboratory managed by Iowa State University. Located on the Iowa State campus, Ames Laboratory seeks solutions to energy-related problems of national importance through the exploration of physics, chemistry, engineering, applied mathematics, and materials sciences. We accelerate the discovery of new materials and share our e

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into Ames Laboratory's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
If you're comfortable environments, it’s dependable. Excellent work-life balance and predictable hours with supportive colleagues. This company emphasizes employee growth through comprehensive training and mentorship opportunities.
Commented in March 27, 2025
26
2
This organization offers stability with a focus on employee development, transparent leadership, and collaboration. The onboarding and training experience were excellent, providing a smooth transition into my role. Experiences vary depending on the team handling specific issues. Structured routine, though little flexibility in role responsibilities.
Commented in February 06, 2025
28
0
It’s stable, but doesn’t offer much in the way of innovation. Passionate about their work and incredibly well-organized. Overall, it’s a solid organization for anyone looking to contribute to the public good and build a long-term career. Excellent coordination and support throughout the process.
Commented in February 03, 2025
9
1
Creative and inclusive strategies. It's a smart career choice for stability. It's inspiring to work alongside so many dedicated professionals united in our mission to educate future generations. Collaborative teams and excellent resources help me thrive every day. The work is steady, and expectations are usually reasonable. This strong leadership provides a stable and purposeful direction for the ...
Commented in July 23, 2024
21
3
A good experience overall, with opportunities for enhanced interdepartmental cooperation and workflow improvements. Benefits are excellent, including paid leave and medical coverage. The daily work may not be fast-paced, but it’s consistently meaningful. Collaboration across departments is encouraged. Supervisors are approachable and fair.
Commented in March 09, 2024
17
2

How Ames Laboratory's Salaries Compare to Similar Companies?

The data below provides a snapshot of what comparable firms are paying, offering crucial context for evaluating Ames Laboratory’s pay competitiveness. Click on a company for a deeper dive.

Is Ames Laboratory’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Ames Laboratory's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
ALEXANDRIA TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE $75,529
-0.7%
Aligns perfectly with prevailing regional benchmarks for this specific job family.
ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES $79,250
+4.2%
Supported by ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION $77,520
+2.0%
Indicates identical technical requirements and experience levels between the two firms.
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE $94,112
+23.8%
Reflects structural premiums typical of AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE's large-cap national operations.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+51.7%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

What Is the Cost of Living Near Ames?

Understanding the cost of living near Ames is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Ames Laboratory.
Ames' Cost of Living Index is approximately 91.8 (8.2% less expensive than US average; 2.1% more than IA average). Home to Iowa State University, housing higher due to university. CyRide (free with ISU ID). When planning your budget based on a salary from Ames Laboratory, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $900 - $1,400+ A significant portion of Ames Laboratory salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $130 - $220 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $35 (CyRide monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $380 - $560 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $330 - $630+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $350 - $650+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,125 - $3,465+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About Ames Laboratory

FAQ 1: How much does an Ames Laboratory employee make?
Ames Laboratory pays its employees an average of $76,031 per year. The average salary at Ames Laboratory range from $66,715 to $86,834 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.
FAQ 2: Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Ames Laboratory?
The salary at Ames Laboratory is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Ames Laboratory is $76,031, or an hourly wage of $37, in comparison to ALEXANDRIA TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE which pays $75,528 per year or $36 per hour.
FAQ 3: Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Ames Laboratory?
In many roles at Ames Laboratory, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.
FAQ 4: How does the cost of living near Ames affect the perceived value of a Ames Laboratory salary?
Ames' Cost of Living Index is approximately 91.8 (8.2% less expensive than US average; 2.1% more than IA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Ames Laboratory based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Ames" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.
FAQ 5: What kind of benefits does Ames Laboratory typically offer employees?
Ames Laboratory generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Ames Laboratory" section on this page.

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