Child, Family, and School Social Workers salary in Ames, IA
Child, Family, and School Social Workers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $46,370 a year ($22.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,790 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $59,550. Pay here is 11% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $52,250. There are 2.1 child, family, and school social workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for child, family, and school social workers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| 25th percentile | $44,520 | $21.40 |
| Median | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| 75th percentile | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,790 | $37.88 |
| Average (mean) | $52,260 | $25.12 |
Half of child, family, and school social workers 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 | $3,864.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,932.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,783.46 |
| Weekly | $891.73 |
| Hourly | $22.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,640 | 400 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $56,530 | 170 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,280 | 800 |
| Dubuque, IA | $51,980 | 100 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $50,710 | 220 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $49,490 | 2,150 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,250 | 330 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,790 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for child, family, and school social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $78,970 |
| Maryland | $76,390 |
| New Jersey | $76,280 |
| Massachusetts | $75,570 |
| Washington | $74,480 |
| District of Columbia | $73,550 |
| New Hampshire | $71,010 |
| Rhode Island | $69,870 |
| Hawaii | $68,270 |
| Minnesota | $67,450 |
See Child, Family, and School Social Workers pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,240 | $18.39 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $69,750 | $33.53 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,760 | $29.69 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1021. 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 child, family, and school social workers make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for child, family, and school social workers in the Ames, IA metro area is $46,370 a year, or $22.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid child, family, and school social workers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of child, family, and school social workers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $78,790 a year. The top 25% earn $57,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for child, family, and school social workers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,690 a year, and a quarter of child, family, and school social workers earn $44,520 or less.
How many child, family, and school social workers work in Ames, IA?
About 120 child, family, and school social workers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.