NAICS 52

Finance and Insurance in Ames, IA

Metro Market Score 24.0 (Favorable), ranked #16 of 331 metros. 212 establishments, 1,092 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 24.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national finance and insurance average.

📈Rapid Growth✓Favorable Market🌱Emerging Market

Ames ranks in the top 10% for finance and insurance market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 24.0, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
24.8
LQ: 0.48
Rank #82 of 331 metros
Wage Competitiveness
44.4
$86,472 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 99.4
Employment growth index
Rank #3 of 331 metros
Wage Pressure
32.4
YoY wage change index

212 Finance and Insurance Firms in Ames

212
Establishments
+33.3% YoY
1,092
Total Employment
+27.7% YoY
$86,472
Average Annual Wage
+0.9% YoY
0.48
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Ames vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's finance and insurance market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #35/51 for entry risk.

Measure Ames IA Statewide
Overall Score 24.0 Favorable 54.3 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #16 of 331 metros #35 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Ames

Healthcare and Social Assistance 8.1 Construction 25.8 Accommodation and Food Services 26.3 Administrative and Support Services 27.4 Retail Trade 28.5 Other Services 31.0 Information 39.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 43.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 46.9

Finance and Insurance in Other Iowa Metros

Sioux City 49.1 #164/331 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 52.8 #195/331 Iowa City 59.2 #241/331 Des Moines-West Des Moines 60.0 #246/331 Dubuque 60.1 #247/331 Cedar Rapids 75.8 #319/331

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Ames's finance and insurance sector, the wage competitiveness component (44.4) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.