Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary in Ames, IA
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $58,820 a year ($28.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,840 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $50,620. Pay here is 16% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $50,510. There are 4.6 automotive service technicians and mechanics per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,780, close to the median.
Pay range for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,490 | $18.03 |
| 25th percentile | $43,470 | $20.90 |
| Median | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| 75th percentile | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,840 | $40.79 |
| Average (mean) | $58,780 | $28.26 |
Half of automotive service technicians and mechanics earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,901.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,450.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,262.31 |
| Weekly | $1,131.15 |
| Hourly | $28.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $61,030 | 290 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $60,470 | 1,870 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $54,230 | 2,250 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $54,230 | 330 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,960 | 360 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,890 | 650 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $48,720 | 430 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,880 | 980 |
Highest-paying states for automotive service technicians and mechanics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,660 |
| California | $64,980 |
| Colorado | $61,280 |
| Alaska | $60,840 |
| Massachusetts | $60,760 |
| Connecticut | $60,220 |
| Virginia | $59,330 |
| New Hampshire | $59,020 |
| Montana | $58,740 |
| Oregon | $58,520 |
See Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $63,490 | $30.52 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $58,790 | $28.26 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $79,080 | $38.02 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $60,430 | $29.05 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $67,250 | $32.33 |
| Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | $65,470 | $31.48 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $100,170 | $48.16 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a automotive service technicians and mechanics make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the Ames, IA metro area is $58,820 a year, or $28.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid automotive service technicians and mechanics make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of automotive service technicians and mechanics in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $84,840 a year. The top 25% earn $71,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,490 a year, and a quarter of automotive service technicians and mechanics earn $43,470 or less.
How many automotive service technicians and mechanics work in Ames, IA?
About 260 automotive service technicians and mechanics are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.