Data Analyst Salary in Ames, IA: $53,112 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Ames, IA earns a median $53,112/year (≈ $25.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $59,791 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a data analyst in Ames, Iowa is expected to earn a median annual salary of $53,112, which reflects a significant difference compared to the national median of $80,394. The projected salary range for this role spans from $40,976 at the 10th percentile to $90,444 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a notable disparity influenced by various factors such as company tier and job specialization. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and speaks to the local job market dynamics. While the salaries in Ames are considerably lower than those at large tech firms like FAANG, which often feature total compensation packages that include significant stock options, the market is still accessible for talent looking to enter the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,976 | $19.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,143 | $20.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,112 | $25.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,584 | $35.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,444 | $43.48 |
Median Salary Position
33.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,468 (2026 est.). At $53,112, the local median is 33.94% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Data Analyst Pay Compares
Ames median: $53,112/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $57,543 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -33.94% less |
Data Analysts in Ames, IA earn a median of $53,112 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.94% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 7.70% below the Iowa state average of $57,543.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $53,112 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,791 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.58% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$62,690
2025 BLS Actual
$50,835
2026 Current Est.
$53,112
2021–2027 Growth
+-11.5%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Ames (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $62,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,835 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,112 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,492 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -18.9% from $62,690 (2021) to $50,835 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,492 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,198 (-11.48%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.48% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,976 – $43,143 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,143 – $53,112 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,112 – $74,584 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,584 – $90,444 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Ames
The local job market in Ames employs around 100 data analysts, which suggests a stable demand for these professionals. The cost of living index in Ames, currently at 88.83, is below the national average, allowing individuals to experience a better purchasing power compared to higher-cost areas. Companies like Google and Microsoft participate in this market, but the highest salaries are likely to be found at FAANG or AI-focused startups, which attract talent with equity-heavy compensation models. Variations in pay can often be traced back to company prestige, role level within the organization, and the importance of stock options in overall compensation. For those looking to maximize their pay in Ames, gaining specialized skills in machine learning or data science, as well as strategically negotiating equity options, can be beneficial strategies given the competitive landscape.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,835 for data analystsin the Ames metropolitan area. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.48%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for data analysts (SOC 15-2051).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov