Ames Laboratory Salary

As of September 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Ames Laboratory in the United States is $37. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $76,031. Salaries at Ames Laboratory typically range from $32 to $42 hourly, 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 hourly wage of $83. The table below outlines the hourly wage ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Direct Care Worker

$14 / hour

Salary Range: $13 - $16

Healthcare

Program Supervisor East Valley

$40 / hour

Salary Range: $35 - $44

Terminal Operations

Overnight Caregivers

$18 / hour

Salary Range: $16 - $20

Security Services

Program Director

$42 / hour

Salary Range: $37 - $48

Safety and Security

Overnight/Weekend Caregivers

$20 / hour

Salary Range: $18 - $22

Security Services

Program Director East Valley

$56 / hour

Salary Range: $47 - $64

Security Specialization

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Ames Laboratory.
Loading results...

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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.

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 $36
-0.7%
Confirms ALEXANDRIA TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool.
ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES $38
+4.2%
Driven by niche technical certifications required for ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES's specialized projects.
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION $37
+2.0%
Aligns perfectly with prevailing regional benchmarks for this specific job family.
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE $45
+23.8%
Reflects structural premiums typical of AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE's large-cap national operations.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $56
+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: What is the typical salary range (low to high) for most roles at Ames Laboratory?
The typical salary range for most roles at Ames Laboratory is approximately from $32 to $42 per hour. 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: How much does Ames Laboratory pay compared to ALEXANDRIA TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE?
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: How does experience level affect salary at Ames Laboratory?
Experience level is a significant factor in determining salary at Ames Laboratory, as it is with most employers. Generally, employees with more years of relevant experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries. For example, a senior-level role will typically have a higher pay band than an entry-level or mid-career position within the same job family.
FAQ 4: How can I determine if a salary offer from Ames Laboratory in Ames is fair given the local cost of living?
To determine if a salary offer from Ames Laboratory in Ames is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Ames Laboratory and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Ames" to understand its purchasing power.
FAQ 5: What factors influence salary increases at Ames Laboratory?
Salary increases at Ames Laboratory are likely influenced by a combination of factors, including: individual employee performance against set goals, overall company performance and profitability, budget availability, changes in the market rate for similar roles (market adjustments), and sometimes cost-of-living increases.