How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make in Ames, IA in 2026?
Typical pay for Physician Assistants in Ames, from federal wage data (May 2024), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Iowa.
BLS OES May 2024 · Ames
A typical Physician Assistant in Ames, Iowa earns $58.59 per hour, or $121,870 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2024). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $10,156 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $71,640, and the top 10% of earners make over $186,680.
That pay is 10% below the Iowa figure of $134,770 and 10% below the national figure of $135,880. About 30 Physician Assistants work in Ames.
Physician Assistant pay in Ames at a glance
- Typical pay is $58.59 an hour, or $121,870 a year.
- That is 10% below the Iowa figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $71,640; the top 10% make over $186,680.
BLS OES May 2024
How much does a Physician Assistant make in Ames?
Pay in Ames runs from entry-level positions at around $34.44 an hour to more than $89.75 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Iowa and national figures.
Physician Assistant pay by career stage in Ames
| Career stage | Ames | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $71,640$34.44 an hour | $102,330$49.20 an hour | $99,380$47.78 an hour |
| First years | $101,420$48.76 an hour | $120,060$57.72 an hour | $120,670$58.02 an hour |
| Typical Physician Assistant | $121,870$58.59 an hour | $134,770$64.79 an hour | $135,880$65.33 an hour |
| Experienced | $129,210$62.12 an hour | $159,950$76.90 an hour | $163,980$78.84 an hour |
| Top 10% | $186,680$89.75 an hour | $182,940$87.95 an hour | $190,280$91.48 an hour |
BLS OES May 2024 (the latest vintage BLS published for this area; state and national columns are May 2025) · city figures cover Ames as BLS defines it
How Ames compares with other Iowa cities
Davenport pays Physician Assistants the most in Iowa at $137,420 a year, $15,550 more than Ames. The lowest-paying area in the state is Dubuque at $126,050.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Ames | Physician Assistants employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davenport | $137,420 | $66.07 | +13% | 110 |
| 2 | Iowa City | $134,770 | $64.79 | +11% | 230 |
| 3 | West Des Moines metro incl. Des Moines | $133,830 | $64.34 | +10% | 340 |
| 4 | Cedar Falls metro incl. Waterloo | $132,880 | $63.89 | +9% | 60 |
| 5 | Sioux City | $130,970 | $62.97 | +7% | 70 |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $129,680 | $62.35 | +6% | 80 |
| 7 | Dubuque | $126,050 | $60.60 | +3% | 40 |
Every metro area in Iowa with Physician Assistant wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Iowa typical pay $134,770
Is Ames a good place to work as a Physician Assistant?
Physician Assistants in Ames earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $121,870 a year, 10% below the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Physician Assistant make in Ames, IA?
- A typical Physician Assistant in Ames earns $121,870 a year, or $58.59 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2024. Entry-level pay runs about $71,640 and the top 10% earn over $186,680.
- How much does a Physician Assistant make an hour in Ames?
- Typical hourly pay for Physician Assistants in Ames is $58.59. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $34.44, and the top 10% earn over $89.75 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Physician Assistant in Ames?
- Entry-level Physician Assistant positions in Ames typically offer around $34.44 an hour, or $71,640 a year.
- Is Physician Assistant pay in Ames higher than in the rest of Iowa?
- Ames pay is 10% below the Iowa figure of $134,770 a year. Davenport pays the most in Iowa at $137,420.