How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in Ames, IA in 2026?
Typical pay for Surgical Techs 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 Surgical Tech in Ames, Iowa earns $18.94 per hour, or $39,400 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2024). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,283 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $32,640, and the top 10% of earners make over $52,270.
That pay is 35% below the Iowa figure of $60,540 and 39% below the national figure of $64,650. About 40 Surgical Techs work in Ames.
Surgical Tech pay in Ames at a glance
- Typical pay is $18.94 an hour, or $39,400 a year.
- That is 35% below the Iowa figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $32,640; the top 10% make over $52,270.
BLS OES May 2024
How much does a Surgical Tech make in Ames?
Pay in Ames runs from entry-level positions at around $15.69 an hour to more than $25.13 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Iowa and national figures.
Surgical Tech pay by career stage in Ames
| Career stage | Ames | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $32,640$15.69 an hour | $47,280$22.73 an hour | $45,940$22.09 an hour |
| First years | $32,640$15.69 an hour | $50,680$24.37 an hour | $54,690$26.29 an hour |
| Typical Surgical Tech | $39,400$18.94 an hour | $60,540$29.11 an hour | $64,650$31.08 an hour |
| Experienced | $52,270$25.13 an hour | $62,880$30.23 an hour | $79,750$38.34 an hour |
| Top 10% | $52,270$25.13 an hour | $75,100$36.11 an hour | $96,940$46.61 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
Des Moines pays Surgical Techs the most in Iowa at $62,250 a year, $22,850 more than Ames. The lowest-paying area in the state is Iowa City at $58,930.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Ames | Surgical Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines metro incl. West Des Moines | $62,250 | $29.93 | +58% | 230 |
| 2 | Davenport | $60,520 | $29.10 | +54% | 110 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $60,500 | $29.09 | +54% | 40 |
| 4 | Cedar Falls metro incl. Waterloo | $59,910 | $28.80 | +52% | 40 |
| 5 | Sioux City | $59,670 | $28.69 | +51% | 90 |
| 6 | Iowa City | $58,930 | $28.33 | +50% | 120 |
Every metro area in Iowa with Surgical Tech wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Iowa typical pay $60,540
Is Ames a good place to work as a Surgical Tech?
Surgical Techs in Ames earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $39,400 a year, 39% below the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Surgical Tech make in Ames, IA?
- A typical Surgical Tech in Ames earns $39,400 a year, or $18.94 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2024. Entry-level pay runs about $32,640 and the top 10% earn over $52,270.
- How much does a Surgical Tech make an hour in Ames?
- Typical hourly pay for Surgical Techs in Ames is $18.94. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $15.69, and the top 10% earn over $25.13 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Surgical Tech in Ames?
- Entry-level Surgical Tech positions in Ames typically offer around $15.69 an hour, or $32,640 a year.
- Is Surgical Tech pay in Ames higher than in the rest of Iowa?
- Ames pay is 35% below the Iowa figure of $60,540 a year. Des Moines pays the most in Iowa at $62,250.