Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Ames, IA
Social and Human Service Assistants in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $38,240 a year ($18.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,270 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $45,930. Pay here is 10% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $42,480. There are 3.1 social and human service assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social and human service assistants in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| 25th percentile | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Median | $38,240 | $18.39 |
| 75th percentile | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| Average (mean) | $41,710 | $20.05 |
Half of social and human service assistants 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 | $3,186.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,593.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,470.77 |
| Weekly | $735.38 |
| Hourly | $18.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social and Human Service Assistants salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $45,760 | 1,370 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $44,250 | 160 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $41,650 | 280 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,030 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $40,510 | 770 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,940 | 430 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,790 | 510 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,490 | 700 |
Highest-paying states for social and human service assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,460 |
| Washington | $54,770 |
| Oregon | $51,230 |
| California | $51,090 |
| Minnesota | $49,940 |
| New Jersey | $48,420 |
| Rhode Island | $47,720 |
| Maine | $47,710 |
| Colorado | $47,690 |
| Idaho | $47,540 |
See Social and Human Service Assistants 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 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $69,750 | $33.53 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| 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 21-1093. 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 social and human service assistants make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for social and human service assistants in the Ames, IA metro area is $38,240 a year, or $18.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social and human service assistants make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of social and human service assistants in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $50,270 a year. The top 25% earn $46,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for social and human service assistants in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,680 a year, and a quarter of social and human service assistants earn $36,320 or less.
How many social and human service assistants work in Ames, IA?
About 180 social and human service assistants are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.