Retail Salesperson Salary in Ames, IA
Retail Salespersons in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median $32,460 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,680 take-home, or $2,307 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Ames, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,715
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,013
- Medicare (1.45%)$471
- Iowa income tax$582
- Take-home pay$27,680
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Ames, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,450 | $12.72 | $23,038 | $1,920 |
| 25th percentile | $28,730 | $13.81 | $24,825 | $2,069 |
| Median (50th) | $32,460 | $15.61 | $27,680 | $2,307 |
| 75th percentile | $36,740 | $17.66 | $30,956 | $2,580 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,130 | $22.18 | $38,144 | $3,179 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,460 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 retail salesperson's $27,680 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,161 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Ames, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.04).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Ames, IA ranks #54 of 387 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot, ND | $35,290 | $30,536 | $35,087 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $36,730 | $31,693 | $34,818 |
| 3 | Wildwood, FL | $34,290 | $29,732 | $34,805 |
| 4 | Grand Forks, ND | $34,440 | $29,853 | $34,447 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $38,680 | $33,259 | $34,096 |
| 7 | Lewiston, ID | $37,010 | $31,064 | $34,077 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 54 | Ames, IA | $32,460 | $27,680 | $31,161 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 387 metros →
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $33,430
- Des Moines, IA — $33,430
- Waterloo, IA — $31,270
- Davenport, IA — $32,030
- Dubuque, IA — $30,960
- Sioux City, IA — $30,150
- Iowa City, IA — $29,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Ames, IA?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Ames, IA metro area is $32,460 a year, or about $15.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,730 and $36,740.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Ames, IA?
On the median $32,460 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $27,680 a year ($2,307 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $582 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Ames, IA a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 11.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,161 would in a typical U.S. city. Ames, IA ranks #54 of 387 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson 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) — 42% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.