NAICS 62

Healthcare and Social Assistance in Ames, IA

Metro Market Score 8.1 (Favorable), ranked #1 of 248 metros. 358 establishments, 5,467 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 8.1
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national healthcare and social assistance average.

📈Rapid Growth✓Favorable Market🌱Emerging Market

Ames ranks in the top 10% for healthcare and social assistance market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 8.1, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
6.5
LQ: 0.68
Rank #16 of 248 metros
Wage Competitiveness
25.0
$57,505 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 99.2
Employment growth index
Rank #3 of 248 metros
Wage Pressure
0.0
YoY wage change index

358 Healthcare and Social Assistance Firms in Ames

358
Establishments
+31.6% YoY
5,467
Total Employment
+25.5% YoY
$57,505
Average Annual Wage
-5.5% YoY
0.68
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Ames vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's healthcare and social assistance market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #4/51 for entry risk.

Measure Ames IA Statewide
Overall Score 8.1 Favorable 26.7 Low
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #1 of 248 metros #4 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

Finance and Insurance 24.0 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

Healthcare and Social Assistance in Other Iowa Metros

Iowa City 31.1 #24/248 Dubuque 47.7 #119/248 Sioux City 56.0 #179/248

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 healthcare and social assistance sector, the wage competitiveness component (25.0) 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.