Cities → Ames, IA
Ames, IA
Cost of living & top-paying careers
Cost of Living
91.5
9% cheaper than the national average
Housing
96.6
3% cheaper than average
Top 15 Highest-Paying Jobs in Ames
| Occupation | Local Salary | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematicians and statisticians | $150,000 | Very High 9/10 |
| Architectural and engineering managers | $136,380 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Medical scientists | $134,160 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Pharmacists | $132,400 | Moderate 5/10 |
| Human resources managers | $131,240 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Sales managers | $128,100 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Natural sciences managers | $127,190 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers | $127,040 | Very High 9/10 |
| Computer and information systems managers | $126,810 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners | $126,580 | Moderate 5/10 |
| Lawyers | $124,850 | High Risk 8/10 |
| Physician assistants | $121,870 | Moderate 5/10 |
| Financial managers | $120,000 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Veterinarians | $111,910 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Microbiologists | $108,040 | Moderate 6/10 |
Top AI-Resistant Jobs in Ames
| Occupation | Local Salary | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinarians | $111,910 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $99,700 | Safe 2/10 |
| Physical therapists | $86,440 | Low Risk 3/10 |
| Firefighters | $86,140 | Low Risk 3/10 |
| Occupational therapists | $81,590 | Low Risk 3/10 |
| Dental hygienists | $79,740 | Safe 2/10 |
| Food service managers | $76,740 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Respiratory therapists | $76,340 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Police and detectives | $75,800 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights | $74,510 | Low Risk 3/10 |
| Registered nurses | $72,920 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Electricians | $64,360 | Safe 2/10 |
| Sheet metal workers | $63,240 | Low Risk 3/10 |
| Massage therapists | $63,180 | Safe 2/10 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $63,020 | Low Risk 4/10 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive. · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)