Ames, IA H-1B salaries — 1,493 certified filings (FY2016–FY2026)
- 132
- Filings · FY2025
- $85k
- Median base · FY2025
- $65k–$102k
- Middle 50% · FY2025
- Iowa State University of Science and Technology
- Top sponsor · 928 all-time
Employers in Ames, IA have 1,493 certified H-1B LCAs on record since FY2016. In FY2025 the median base salary was $85k across 132 filings, with the middle 50% between $65k and $102k. The biggest sponsors are Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames IT and Numeric Solutions, Danfoss Power Solutions US; the most-sponsored titles are Postdoctoral Research Associate, Assistant Professor, Software Engineer.
How much do H-1B workers in Ames, IA make?
Certified base salary by fiscal year: each box is the p25–p75 range, the heavy line the median, the whiskers reach p10–p90. $85k median in FY2025. Base pay only — hover a year for its figures.
How has H-1B hiring in Ames, IA changed?
199 certified filings in FY2016 → 103 in FY2026. The change column is each year against the one before.
| Fiscal year | Filings | vs prior FY | Median base |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | 103 | −22% | $87k |
| FY2025 | 132 | +27% | $85k |
| FY2024 | 104 | −9% | $81k |
| FY2023 | 114 | −9% | $63k |
| FY2022 | 125 | +10% | $70k |
| FY2021 | 114 | −12% | $64k |
| FY2020 | 129 | −6% | $68k |
| FY2019 | 137 | −11% | $74k |
| FY2018 | 154 | −15% | $68k |
| FY2017 | 182 | −9% | $63k |
| FY2016 | 199 | — | $60k |
Which companies sponsor H-1B workers in Ames, IA?
The employers with the most certified filings, all years, with their median base salary. Open any employer for its full profile.
| # | Employer | Filings | Median base |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa State University of Science and Technology | 928 | $62k |
| 2 | Ames IT and Numeric Solutions | 104 | $65k |
| 3 | Danfoss Power Solutions US | 72 | $89k |
| 4 | Mcfarland Clinic P C | 26 | $208k |
| 5 | Pugna Technologies | 25 | $56k |
| 6 | Reg Services Group | 19 | $65k |
| 7 | Kingland Systems | 19 | $70k |
| 8 | Mary Greeley Medical Center | 13 | $52k |
| 9 | Workiva | 11 | $95k |
| 10 | Proplanner | 8 | $70k |
What H-1B jobs get sponsored in Ames, IA?
The most-filed job titles on certified LCAs in this city, all years (DOL titles, pay-grade codes stripped).
| # | Job title | Filings | Median base |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Postdoctoral Research Associate | 296 | $53k |
| 2 | Assistant Professor | 190 | $94k |
| 3 | Software Engineer | 53 | $74k |
| 4 | Research Scientist II | 37 | $61k |
| 5 | Lecturer | 34 | $71k |
| 6 | Assistant Scientist III | 31 | $60k |
| 7 | Software Developer | 28 | $75k |
| 8 | Ames Laboratory Scientist I | 25 | $77k |
| 9 | Research Scientist III | 21 | $73k |
| 10 | Assistant Teaching Professor | 20 | $77k |
Common questions about H-1B jobs in Ames, IA
- What is the median H-1B salary in Ames, IA?
- The median certified H-1B base salary in Ames, IA is $85k (FY2025), from 132 filings. Across all years the middle 50% earn between $55k and $90k.
- Which companies sponsor the most H-1B workers in Ames, IA?
- The top H-1B sponsors in Ames, IA are Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames IT and Numeric Solutions, Danfoss Power Solutions US.
- What are the most common H-1B jobs in Ames, IA?
- The most-sponsored H-1B roles in Ames, IA are Postdoctoral Research Associate, Assistant Professor, Software Engineer.
- Does a certified LCA mean an H-1B visa was approved?
- No. A Labor Condition Application (LCA) is the Department of Labor attestation an employer must have certified before filing an H-1B petition with USCIS. It records the job, worksite and offered wage, but not whether the petition was filed, selected in the lottery, or approved. Filing counts measure intent to sponsor, not headcount.
- What salary do these figures show?
- The base annual wage offered on the certified LCA, converted to a yearly amount. Bonus, equity, overtime and benefits are not included, so total compensation is typically higher. Figures are medians and percentiles over certified filings; wages above $5,000,000 a year are excluded as data-entry errors.
- What does the fiscal year mean here?
- Years are U.S. government fiscal years, October to September: FY2025 runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. This matches how the Department of Labor publishes the disclosure files. The most recent year may be partial until its final quarter is released.
Keep exploring
Calculate your H-1B lottery odds →orCheck out the insights →
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification — certified LCA disclosure data through June 2026 (FY2016–FY2026). An LCA is not an approved visa; pay figures are base salary and exclude bonus and equity. Methodology →