Personal Financial Advisor salary in Ames, IA
Personal Financial Advisors in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $90,590 a year ($43.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,800 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $105,070. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $92,310. There are 0.72 personal financial advisors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $111,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for personal financial advisors in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,670 | $25.81 |
| 25th percentile | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Median | $90,590 | $43.55 |
| 75th percentile | $131,680 | $63.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $188,800 | $90.77 |
| Average (mean) | $111,380 | $53.55 |
Half of personal financial advisors 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 | $7,549.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,774.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,484.23 |
| Weekly | $1,742.12 |
| Hourly | $43.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Personal Financial Advisor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,540 | 180 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $98,200 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $94,270 | 640 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $93,320 | 250 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $90,520 | 120 |
| Iowa City, IA | $89,860 | 70 |
| Dubuque, IA | $89,700 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $80,550 | 1,120 |
Highest-paying states for personal financial advisors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $166,400 |
| New Jersey | $158,570 |
| California | $130,330 |
| Connecticut | $129,720 |
| South Dakota | $128,720 |
| Massachusetts | $125,670 |
| Delaware | $125,050 |
| Oregon | $122,830 |
| Illinois | $120,130 |
| Wisconsin | $119,430 |
See Personal Financial Advisor pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 | $40.61 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,980 | $23.07 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2052. 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 personal financial advisor make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for personal financial advisors in the Ames, IA metro area is $90,590 a year, or $43.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid personal financial advisors make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of personal financial advisors in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $188,800 a year. The top 25% earn $131,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for personal financial advisors in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,670 a year, and a quarter of personal financial advisors earn $65,000 or less.
How many personal financial advisors work in Ames, IA?
About 40 personal financial advisors are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.