NAICS 51

Information in Ames, IA

Metro Market Score 39.9 (Moderate), ranked #114 of 294 metros. 116 establishments, 729 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 39.9
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national information average.

📈Rapid Growth

Ames ranks in the upper half for information market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 39.9, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
77.5
LQ: 0.69
Rank #228 of 294 metros
Wage Competitiveness
69.0
$90,754 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 99.7
Employment growth index
Rank #2 of 294 metros
Wage Pressure
15.7
YoY wage change index

116 Information Firms in Ames

116
Establishments
+16.0% YoY
729
Total Employment
+34.0% YoY
$90,754
Average Annual Wage
-2.0% YoY
0.69
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Ames vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's information market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #15/51 for entry risk.

Measure Ames IA Statewide
Overall Score 39.9 Moderate 38.3 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #114 of 294 metros #15 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 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 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 43.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 46.9

Information in Other Iowa Metros

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 29.5 #56/294 Iowa City 30.0 #60/294 Waterloo-Cedar Falls 48.5 #182/294 Sioux City 51.0 #196/294 Des Moines-West Des Moines 51.6 #198/294 Dubuque 58.5 #228/294 Cedar Rapids 70.9 #279/294

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 information sector, the industry concentration component (77.5) 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.