Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in Ames, IA
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $63,450 a year, based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,930 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $72,040. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $61,200. There are 5.6 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,450 |
| 25th percentile | $59,290 |
| Median | $63,450 |
| 75th percentile | $77,320 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,930 |
| Average (mean) | $65,610 |
Half of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education 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 | $5,287.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,643.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,440.38 |
| Weekly | $1,220.19 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,900 | 3,540 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,480 | 2,660 |
| Iowa City, IA | $62,100 | 590 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,960 | 1,170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,780 | 1,280 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,510 | 460 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $60,440 | 660 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,200 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,670 |
| California | $101,370 |
| New York | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 |
| New Jersey | $82,200 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 |
| Illinois | $79,990 |
| Alaska | $79,650 |
See Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,430 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $63,200 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $63,480 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $30,420 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $29,570 | $14.21 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $69,490 | $33.41 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| Library Technician | $45,880 | $22.06 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2031. 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 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in the Ames, IA metro area is $63,450 a year. Pay ranges from $48,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $81,930 a year. The top 25% earn $77,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,450 a year, and a quarter of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education earn $59,290 or less.
How many secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education work in Ames, IA?
About 310 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.