Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator Salary in Ames, IA
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median $49,360 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,617 take-home, or $3,385 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median miscellaneous assembler and fabricator salary in Ames, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,743
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,060
- Medicare (1.45%)$716
- Iowa income tax$1,224
- Take-home pay$40,617
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator pay by experience in Ames, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,940 | $18.24 | $31,875 | $2,656 |
| 25th percentile | $49,220 | $23.66 | $40,510 | $3,376 |
| Median (50th) | $49,360 | $23.73 | $40,617 | $3,385 |
| 75th percentile | $59,840 | $28.77 | $48,639 | $4,053 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,840 | $28.77 | $48,639 | $4,053 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,360 buys in Ames, IA
Prices in Ames, IA are 11.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 31% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median miscellaneous assembler and fabricator's $40,617 take-home pay has the buying power of $45,724 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator jobs are about as common in Ames, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.94).
Best-paying cities for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators, adjusted for cost of living
Ames, IA ranks #16 of 266 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lafayette, LA | $64,950 | $52,805 | $60,550 |
| 2 | Jackson, MS | $63,170 | $51,142 | $57,432 |
| 3 | Lafayette, IN | $63,140 | $51,080 | $54,672 |
| 4 | Spartanburg, SC | $59,300 | $47,427 | $52,088 |
| 5 | Lexington, KY | $59,730 | $48,200 | $51,890 |
| 6 | St. Joseph, MO | $54,400 | $44,271 | $51,250 |
| 7 | Grand Forks, ND | $51,850 | $43,841 | $50,588 |
| 8 | Oshkosh, WI | $57,260 | $46,450 | $49,984 |
| 16 | Ames, IA | $49,360 | $40,617 | $45,724 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 266 metros →
Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Waterloo, IA — $50,310
- Dubuque, IA — $50,320
- Des Moines, IA — $47,880
- Davenport, IA — $45,470
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $42,760
Frequently asked questions
How much does a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator make in Ames, IA?
The median miscellaneous assembler and fabricator salary in the Ames, IA metro area is $49,360 a year, or about $23.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,220 and $59,840.
What is a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator’s take-home pay in Ames, IA?
On the median $49,360 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $40,617 a year ($3,385 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,224 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Ames, IA a good place to work as a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $44,650. Local prices are 11.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $45,724 would in a typical U.S. city. Ames, IA ranks #16 of 266 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator afford rent in Ames, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Ames, IA is $975 a month ($1,126 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median miscellaneous assembler and fabricator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.