Nursing Assistant Salary in Ames, IA
Nursing Assistants in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median $43,540 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,162 take-home, or $3,013 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Ames, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,045
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,699
- Medicare (1.45%)$631
- Iowa income tax$1,003
- Take-home pay$36,162
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Ames, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,010 | $17.79 | $31,163 | $2,597 |
| 25th percentile | $38,520 | $18.52 | $32,319 | $2,693 |
| Median (50th) | $43,540 | $20.93 | $36,162 | $3,013 |
| 75th percentile | $47,120 | $22.65 | $38,902 | $3,242 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,920 | $23.52 | $40,280 | $3,357 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,540 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 nursing assistant's $36,162 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,709 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ames, IA has 1.5× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Ames, IA ranks #15 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 15 | Ames, IA | $43,540 | $36,162 | $40,709 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Des Moines, IA — $43,940
- Dubuque, IA — $41,580
- Sioux City, IA — $38,940
- Waterloo, IA — $38,930
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $39,110
- Davenport, IA — $38,740
- Iowa City, IA — $39,330
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Ames, IA?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Ames, IA metro area is $43,540 a year, or about $20.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,520 and $47,120.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Ames, IA?
On the median $43,540 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $36,162 a year ($3,013 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,003 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Ames, IA a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 11.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,709 would in a typical U.S. city. Ames, IA ranks #15 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant 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) — 32% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,660