Construction Manager in Ames, IA

The Salary Picture: Where Ames Stands

As a local who’s watched Ames grow from a college town into a robust regional hub, I can tell you the construction management field here is stable, if not explosive. The data reflects that reality. The median salary for a Construction Manager in Ames is $105,418/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.68/hour. That’s slightly below the national average of $108,210/year, but that gap is more than offset by Ames’s significantly lower cost of living—a massive advantage for your wallet.

The job market is tight but consistent. There are currently 131 construction management positions in the metro area, supported by a 10-year job growth of 8%. This isn't a boomtown like some energy sectors; it’s a sustainable, long-term market driven by university expansion, healthcare growth, and steady residential development.

Here’s how salary typically breaks down by experience level in the Ames market:

Experience Level	Typical Ames Salary Range	Notes
Entry-Level (0-3 years)	$75,000 - $90,000	Often starts as an Assistant PM or Field Engineer. Strongest demand from large commercial GCs.
Mid-Career (4-8 years)	$95,000 - $120,000	The sweet spot for most PMs. Can lead projects for ISU, healthcare, or mid-sized developments.
Senior (8-15 years)	$120,000 - $145,000	Typically oversees multiple projects or complex public works. Premium for CMIT or PE license.
Expert/Executive (15+ yrs)	$145,000+	Regional VPs, Directors of Construction, or specialized consultants. Often with a PE and extensive project history.

How Ames Compares to Other Iowa Cities:
Ames is a peculiar market. It’s not as large as Des Moines (58,050 jobs, med. $110,315) nor as specialized as Cedar Rapids with its industrial base. It’s a mid-sized market with a captive audience. The University (ISU) and a major hospital system create a consistent pipeline of projects, insulating the local market from the worst of national downturns. The trade-off is a slightly lower ceiling for top-level salaries compared to the state capital, but again, the living costs tell a different story.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the numbers. For a single person earning the median salary of $105,418, after federal, state, and FICA taxes, your take-home pay is approximately $78,500 annually, or about $6,540 per month (this is a rough estimate; actual take-home depends on deductions like 401k, health insurance, etc.).

Now, let's factor in living costs. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ames is $918/month. The Cost of Living Index is 91.4 (US avg = 100), meaning your dollar goes about 8.6% further here than the national average.

Here’s a sample monthly budget for a Construction Manager earning the median:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$6,540	After taxes
Rent (1BR)	$918	Citywide average
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Internet)	$180	Varies seasonally (harsh winters!).
Groceries	$400	Competitive pricing at Hy-Vee, Aldi, Fareway.
Transportation	$350	Car payment/insurance/gas. Ames is car-dependent.
Health Insurance	$250	Employer-sponsored plan estimate.
Retirement Savings (10%)	$875	$105,418 / 12 / 10%
Discretionary Spending	$2,567	This is where your flexibility lies—dining out, entertainment, travel, etc.

Can you afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home value in Ames is around $250,000. With a 20% down payment ($50,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would result in a monthly payment (including taxes and insurance) of roughly $1,650. This is well within the realm of affordability on a $105,418 salary, especially if you’re dual-income or have a larger down payment. Many locals in the construction trades own homes in the city or in nearby rural areas like Story City or Nevada, where land is cheaper.

Insider Tip: The Ames housing market moves with the Iowa State academic calendar. The best time to buy is often late spring, after the student rental market settles and before the summer rush.

Where the Jobs Are: Ames's Major Employers

Ames’s construction market is driven by a few key players, not a vast sea of small firms. Your opportunities will be largely concentrated here:

1. Iowa State University (ISU): The state’s second-largest employer. ISU has a constant slate of projects: new research facilities (like the new Biorenewables Complex), dormitory renovations, and infrastructure upgrades. They hire both full-time campus construction managers and work through large general contractors. The process can be slow, but the projects are steady.
2. Mary Greeley Medical Center: A major regional hospital that undergoes continuous expansion and renovation. Their capital projects team is small but hires external CMs for specific builds. They value experience with healthcare codes and infection control protocols.
3. City of Ames: The public works department manages everything from water treatment plant upgrades to street reconstruction. Jobs here are posted on the city’s official site. While they pay slightly less than private sector, the benefits and job security are exceptional.
4. Weitnauer Management: A major local real estate development and property management firm. They handle multi-family, commercial, and student housing projects. An excellent place for a PM to get experience in the private development side.
5. R.J. Young (Local GC): A well-established general contractor with a strong presence in central Iowa. They handle commercial, industrial, and institutional projects. They’re known for hiring local talent and promoting from within.
6. Middleton Construction: Another key local firm specializing in commercial and industrial construction. They often work on projects for ISU and local businesses.
7. Smith Group: A national architectural/engineering firm with a significant Ames office. They hire construction managers for their project management and construction administration services, often working closely with their design teams.

Hiring Trends: The biggest recent driver is federal research funding for ISU, leading to new science and engineering buildings. There’s also a quiet push for affordable housing developments, spurred by state grants. Hiring for these roles tends to be cyclical with the state and university fiscal years (July 1 start).

Getting Licensed in IA

Iowa has specific requirements, and it’s crucial to understand them. You don’t always need a license to be a Construction Manager, but for public works and to advance to senior roles, it’s mandatory.

• The Gold Standard: Professional Engineer (PE) License: For many public and large private projects, the state requires the Project Manager to be a licensed PE. This involves:

  1. EIT Certification: Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam after your bachelor’s degree.
  2. Experience: Log 4 years of progressive engineering experience under a licensed PE.
  3. PE Exam: Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam in your discipline (e.g., Civil, Structural).
  4. Cost: $500-$800 for exam fees, plus study materials.
  5. Timeline: A minimum of 4 years from EIT to PE, but often longer.

• Construction Manager Certification (CMIT/CM): While not state-mandated, the Certified Construction Manager (CM) credential from CMAA is highly respected, especially for large commercial projects. It requires experience and passing an exam.

• State Licensing Board: All licensing is managed through the Iowa Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Their website is your primary resource.

Insider Tip: Start the FE exam process as soon as you meet the education requirements. Delaying it makes it harder to study. Many local firms (like R.J. Young) offer tuition reimbursement for exam fees and study courses.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Where you live in Ames impacts your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Ames is a compact city, so commutes are short (<20 mins), but neighborhood character varies.

1. Campustown (Rent: $850-$1,100): The area south of campus. High density, older homes, lots of rentals. Great if you want to be where the action is, but can be noisy and parking is a challenge. Ideal for younger PMs who want to bike to work.
2. Northridge/Rollins (Rent: $1,000-$1,300): Established, quiet neighborhoods with single-family homes. Popular with young families and professionals. Close to top-rated schools and the popular Brookside Park. A 10-minute drive to most job sites.
3. West Ames (Rent: $900-$1,200): More suburban, with newer developments and larger lots. Home to the South Dakota Street commercial corridor. Good access to I-35 for commuting to Des Moines for meetings. Feels less "college town."
4. Downtown/Midtown (Rent: $1,100-$1,400): The revitalizing core. More condos and townhomes. Walkable to local restaurants, the farmers' market, and city offices. You'll see more construction managers here, especially those working on city projects.
5. Story City (25 mins north, Rent: $700-$900): A common choice for those who want more house for the money and a small-town feel. Many construction professionals commute here. You get a larger property and lower taxes, but you’re outside the Ames school district.

Insider Tip: If you have a family, Northridge is the top choice for schools and safety. If you’re single and want a social life, Campustown or Downtown is the place to be.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Ames, career growth for a Construction Manager is less about jumping to a new city and more about specialization and taking on more complex projects.

• Specialty Premiums: The highest premiums are in laboratory/research facility construction (due to ISU and USDA labs) and healthcare. Getting experience in these niches can push your salary 10-15% above the median. Public works (municipal, transportation) offers excellent long-term stability.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is: Assistant PM -> Project Manager -> Senior PM -> Project Executive/Regional Director. To break into the top tier ($145k+), you almost certainly need a PE license and experience managing multi-million dollar budgets ($10M+). The path often involves moving to a larger firm (like a national GC with an Ames office) or becoming a key leader at a local firm like R.J. Young.
• 10-Year Outlook: The growth of 8% is promising. As long as ISU continues to receive federal funding and the healthcare sector expands, demand will be steady. The biggest risk is a significant state budget cut, which could slow public university projects temporarily. A local PM who is flexible—able to pivot from commercial to public work—is most secure.

The Verdict: Is Ames Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, stable job market anchored by ISU and healthcare.	Salaries are slightly below national average, though COL offsets this.
Exceptional cost of living. Your $105,418 salary goes far.	The job market is smaller; fewer "big firm" options than in Des Moines.
Short commutes (avg. <15 mins) and easy navigation.	Social scene is heavily influenced by the college demographic.
Safe, family-friendly city with excellent public schools.	Harsh Iowa winters can be a lifestyle adjustment.
Great for outdoor activities (parks, trails, cycling).	Limited high-end shopping; most trips to Des Moines for specialized goods.
Tight-knit professional community where networking is effective.	Can feel insular if you’re not connected to the university or hospital.

Final Recommendation:
Ames is an excellent choice for a Construction Manager who is founded in family life or values a low-stress, high-quality-of-life environment. It’s not the place for someone chasing the absolute highest salary or the fast-paced, cut-throat world of major coastal cities. However, if you want a stable career where you can afford a nice home, raise a family, and be home for dinner by 5:30 PM, Ames is a hidden gem. The combination of a median salary of $105,418 and a cost of living index of 91.4 creates a financial runway that’s hard to find elsewhere.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car in Ames?
Yes, absolutely. While the campus area is walkable and a public bus system (CyRide) is free for students and cheap for others, the city is spread out. Most job sites and businesses are not accessible by public transit. A reliable vehicle is non-negotiable.

2. How competitive is the job market for out-of-state applicants?
For experienced, licensed (PE/CM) professionals, the market is receptive. Firms like R.J. Young and Middleton often look to out-of-state candidates to fill skill gaps, especially in specialized areas. However, for entry-level roles, local candidates (from ISU’s College of Engineering) have an advantage due to established networks. Insider Tip: Mention your understanding of Iowa’s climate and soil conditions (e.g., frost depth, expansive soils) in your interview—it shows you’ve done your homework.

3. What’s the typical work-life balance like?
Generally good. The standard is 45-50 hours per week. Overtime is common during project deadlines but not typically excessive. The culture at local firms is often more old-school and family-oriented than at national consultancies in big cities. There’s a strong emphasis on community involvement outside of work.

4. Are there opportunities for remote or hybrid work?
Limited. Construction management is inherently a field-based role. You need to be on-site. However, there is some flexibility for administrative tasks (submittals, RFIs, scheduling). Some managers at ISU or larger developers might work from home office 1-2 days a week, but it’s not the norm.

5. How does the cost of living impact my savings rate?
Significantly. With the average 1BR rent at $918 and a median salary of $105,418, you can easily save 20-25% of your pre-tax income while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. In many coastal cities with similar salaries, you’d be spending 50%+ on rent alone. This is Ames’s single biggest financial advantage.