Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in Ames, IA
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $82,970 a year ($39.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,030 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $90,150. Pay here is 6% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $87,830. There are 1.2 occupational health and safety specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational health and safety specialists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| 25th percentile | $75,180 | $36.15 |
| Median | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| 75th percentile | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,030 | $55.79 |
| Average (mean) | $86,950 | $41.80 |
Half of occupational health and safety specialists 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 | $6,914.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,457.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,191.15 |
| Weekly | $1,595.58 |
| Hourly | $39.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $82,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,010 | 120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $93,280 | 160 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $93,200 | 70 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $92,310 | 390 |
| Iowa City, IA | $89,570 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $89,500 | 300 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $85,100 | 50 |
| Dubuque, IA | $78,410 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for occupational health and safety specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 |
| Massachusetts | $103,970 |
| Washington | $102,920 |
| California | $102,840 |
| Rhode Island | $101,740 |
| Colorado | $101,400 |
| New Hampshire | $101,260 |
| Alaska | $99,270 |
| Illinois | $98,270 |
| Maine | $97,640 |
See Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,430 | $23.29 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,080 | $31.29 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Chemist | $84,300 | $40.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-5011. 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 occupational health and safety specialists make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for occupational health and safety specialists in the Ames, IA metro area is $82,970 a year, or $39.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational health and safety specialists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of occupational health and safety specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $116,030 a year. The top 25% earn $95,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational health and safety specialists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,770 a year, and a quarter of occupational health and safety specialists earn $75,180 or less.
How many occupational health and safety specialists work in Ames, IA?
About 70 occupational health and safety specialists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.