Civil Engineer Salary in Ames, IA: $102,835 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Ames, IA earns a median $102,835/year (≈ $49.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $115,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Ames, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $102,835, reflecting the competitive nature of the local job market within the civil engineering sector. The salary range spans from $68,095 for entry-level positions to $130,720 for the most experienced professionals in the field, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. This solid compensation is indicative of the city's blend of employers, from prominent engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs to state and local government positions primarily through the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). The diverse range of roles within the industry showcases the dynamic opportunities available that often influence pay rates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,095 | $32.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,590 | $38.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,835 | $49.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,392 | $59.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,720 | $62.84 |
Median Salary Position
0.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,625 (2026 est.). At $102,835, the local median is 0.63% below the national median of $103,492.
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At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be above the median
How Ames Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Ames median: $102,835/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $98,975 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -0.63% less |
Civil Engineers in Ames, IA earn a median of $102,835 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.63% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.90% above the Iowa state average of $98,975.
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 civil engineer earning $102,835 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,766 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.57% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,000
2025 BLS Actual
$100,200
2026 Current Est.
$102,835
2019–2027 Growth
+21.3%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,835 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.2% from $87,000 (2019) to $100,200 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,540 (21.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) 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 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-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) | $68,095 – $79,590 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,590 – $102,835 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,835 – $123,392 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,392 – $130,720 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Ames
Local employment statistics reveal that Ames employs around 290 civil engineers, offering a favorable environment for job seekers in this field. Given the cost of living index of 88.83, the affordability of life in Ames bolsters the buying power of these salaries, providing a comfortable living for professionals in the area. Employers in Ames that tend to offer higher pay include large engineering firms and construction companies, as well as federal agencies and private developers. The disparity in salaries is influenced by several factors such as obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license, the specialization in high-demand areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the hierarchy within companies—from top-tier consulting firms to smaller governmental roles. As infrastructure spending increases due to initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, civil engineers in Ames could see even greater opportunities, particularly if they pursue higher-level credentials or specialize in fields aligned with current project demands.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
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 $100,200 for civil engineersin the Ames metropolitan area. A 2.63% 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, 7-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 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov