NAICS 54

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Ames, IA

Metro Market Score 46.9 (Moderate), ranked #126 of 261 metros. 583 establishments, 2,769 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 46.9
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national professional, scientific, and technical services average.

💰High-Cost Market📈Rapid Growth

Ames ranks in the upper half for professional, scientific, and technical services market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 46.9, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
66.3
LQ: 0.70
Rank #173 of 261 metros
Wage Competitiveness
83.9
$108,798 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 94.3
Employment growth index
Rank #16 of 261 metros
Wage Pressure
37.9
YoY wage change index

583 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Firms in Ames

583
Establishments
+12.1% YoY
2,769
Total Employment
+8.5% YoY
$108,798
Average Annual Wage
+2.8% YoY
0.70
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Ames vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's professional, scientific, and technical services market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #2/51 for entry risk.

Measure Ames IA Statewide
Overall Score 46.9 Moderate 31.1 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #126 of 261 metros #2 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 Information 39.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 43.1

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Other Iowa Metros

Dubuque 45.0 #113/261 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 52.1 #152/261 Iowa City 62.9 #204/261

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 professional, scientific, and technical services sector, the wage competitiveness component (83.9) 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.