Ames, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Medical Secretary Salary in Ames, IA

In the Ames, IA metropolitan area, medical secretaries earned a median annual wage of $41,500 ($19.95/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,700/year and the 90th was $50,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,600 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$41,500$19.95 per hour · $3,458 monthly
10th Percentile$35,700$17.16/hr base
25th Percentile$38,000$18.27/hr base
75th Percentile$47,600$22.88/hr base
90th Percentile$50,700$24.38/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$41,500
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,500
Net 83%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,600After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,883Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,331Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,800 / yr
Iowa state income tax$925 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,175 / yr

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Wage Percentiles in Ames, IA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the Ames, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$30,160
25th Percentile$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$31,921
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.95/hr$3,458$41,500$34,600
75th Percentile$22.88/hr$3,967$47,600$39,270
90th Percentile$24.38/hr$4,225$50,700$41,643

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Ames, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$41,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$73,127Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.811.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio56.8%of area median income

Compare medical secretaries salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Pay in Ames, IA

What is the median salary for medical secretaries in Ames, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for medical secretaries in Ames, IA is $41,500, which equates to approximately $3,458 per month or $19.95 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for medical secretaries in Ames, IA?

The median hourly wage for medical secretaries in Ames, IA is $19.95 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.16/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.38/hour.

What is the pay range for medical secretaries in Ames, IA?

BLS wage estimates for medical secretaries in Ames, IA span from $35,700 at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 25th, $47,600 at the 75th, and $50,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do medical secretaries take home after taxes in Ames, IA?

On a median gross salary of $41,500, an estimated $34,600 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,331 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,900 (an effective rate of 16.6%).

How much do medical secretaries make per month in Ames, IA?

On the median annual salary of $41,500, gross monthly income is $3,458. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,883 per month (or $1,331 every two weeks).

Is $41,500 a good salary in Ames, IA?

At $41,500, the median salary for medical secretaries is 56.8% of the Ames, IA median household income ($73,127). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.8, making regional consumer goods and services 11.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.