ocity
💰 COL Index: 93 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Ankeny, IA

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 39 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$53,649
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$57,874
model average ÷ 92.7 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Software Developer
$124,473
City 1BR Rent Reference
$787
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Ankeny?

$53,649 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$53,649/year
Gross monthly equivalent$4,471/month
Household income context$105,862

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 39-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,473
💡 Purchasing-power model $134,275
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $59.84/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -2% vs national

Accountant

$84,194
💡 Purchasing-power model $90,824
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $40.48/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -2% vs national

Registered Nurse

$84,185
💡 Purchasing-power model $90,814
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $40.47/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$62,275
💡 Purchasing-power model $67,179
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $29.94/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -2% vs national

Electrician

$60,202
💡 Purchasing-power model $64,943
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $28.94/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 39 Occupations in Ankeny

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (92.7/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 39 occupations.

#
1 Software Developer $124,473
2 Accountant $84,194
3 Registered Nurse $84,185
4 Elementary School Teacher $62,275
5 Electrician $60,202
6 Real Estate Agent $60,133
7 Heavy Truck Driver $51,927
8 Firefighter $48,905
9 Paralegal $48,905
10 Welder $48,905
11 Web Developer $48,905
12 Nail Technician $48,905
13 Cosmetologist $48,905
14 Chef/Head Cook $48,905
15 Personal Trainer $48,905
16 Auto Mechanic $48,905
17 Social Worker $48,905
18 Pharmacy Technician $48,905
19 Veterinary Technician $48,905
20 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,905
21 Dental Assistant $48,905
22 Police Officer $48,905
23 Project Manager $48,905
24 Graphic Designer $48,905
25 Data Analyst $48,905
26 Plumber $48,905
27 Insurance Agent $48,905
28 Loan Officer $48,905
29 Construction Manager $48,905
30 Physical Therapist $48,905
31 Carpenter $48,905
32 Financial Analyst $48,905
33 Human Resources Specialist $48,905
34 Pharmacist $48,905
35 HVAC Technician $48,905
36 Dental Hygienist $48,905
37 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,905
38 Marketing Manager $48,905
39 Medical Assistant $48,905

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Ankeny salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.310×–1.466× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 92.7 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Ankeny

🏠
1BR Rent
$787/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$983/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$323,500
📉
Unemployment
2.8%
💳
Median Income
$105,862
🎓
College Educated
30%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
93
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Ankeny Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Ankeny Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Ankeny mean on this page?

▼
$53,649 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Ankeny workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Ankeny?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $4,471 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Ankeny?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Ankeny?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.310×–1.466× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Ankeny

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

Career Decisions

Make your salary work in Ankeny

City analysis

Salary vs Rent by City: A Transparent 1BR Screening Ratio

Ten cities from the original analysis recalculated with one reproducible ratio: annual one-bedroom rent divided by median household income.

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Career Guides →Cost of Living →Housing Market →Neighborhood Guide →

Explore Ankeny Further

🏙️ Ankeny City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage