Ames Laboratory Salary

How Much Does Ames Laboratory Pay for employees?

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. Ames Laboratory’s salaries are influenced by a wide range of factors including job role, department, years of experience, and location.
DISCLAIMER: The salary range presented here is an estimation that has been derived from our proprietary algorithm. It should be noted that this range does not originate from the company's factual payroll records or survey data.

How Much Does Ames Laboratory Pay for Different Roles?

The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for popular roles within the company, helping you benchmark potential earnings. Use 'View by Card/Table' option to find the data most relevant to your career path.

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

DISCLAIMER: The salary range presented here is an estimation that has been derived from our proprietary algorithm. It should be noted that this range does not originate from the company's factual payroll records or survey data.

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.
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 market? This analysis visualizes their average salary compared to its industry benchmark and key peer companies.
Peer Company & Industry Benchmarking
120k
100k
80k
60k
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20k
0
Average Salary ($/year)
Ames Laboratory
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
ALEXANDRIA TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Industry Comparison
Our data shows that, on average, compensation at Ames Laboratory is below the average for the U.S. Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry by approximately 34%. This positioning suggests their pay is below the market average within their sector.
Peer Company Comparison
To provide a broader market perspective, we compared Ames Laboratory average annual salary with several similar companies. Ames Laboratory average salary of $76,031 is higher than ALEXANDRIA TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE, which has an average salary of $75,528. It is lower than ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES, with their average salary at $79,250. This places Ames Laboratory in a mid-range position among its peers.
See Your True Competitors
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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.