Salary guide, May 2025
Receiving / Source Inspector pay in Ames, IA
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The median annual wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in Ames, IA was $61,820 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $49,470 and $64,980.
The Ames, IA median is $13,250 above the national median of $48,570, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-9061 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Receiving / Source Inspector is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about ames, IA?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $44,100 | $49,470 | $61,820 | $64,980 | $79,010 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $21.20 | $23.78 | $29.72 | $31.24 | $37.99 |
BLS estimated 240 workers employed in this occupation in Ames, IA. Location quotient: 1.11.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,510 | $39,890 | $48,570 | $61,440 | $77,860 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17.07 | $19.18 | $23.35 | $29.54 | $37.44 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Receiving / Source Inspector median is $61,820. The all-occupations median in Ames, IA is $50,220. Ratio: 1.23 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.11 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $48,910 | $59,950 | $64,400 |
| May 2025 | $49,470 | $61,820 | $64,980 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-9061 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, Ames, IA. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-9061 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $50,850 | $41,600 to $59,500 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $51,250 | $50,900 to $63,190 |
All roles in Ames, IA · National page · Receiving / Source Inspector ranked across metros