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Average salary by job family in Waterloo
| Management | $108,560 |
|---|---|
| Legal | $101,900 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $98,300 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $89,820 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $87,560 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $78,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $77,270 |
| Construction and Extraction | $64,460 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $61,000 |
| Protective Service | $59,740 |
| Community and Social Service | $59,130 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $59,130 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $54,900 |
| Production | $50,940 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $47,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $46,690 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $46,210 |
| Sales and Related | $44,550 |
| Healthcare Support | $40,660 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $37,370 |
| Personal Care and Service | $33,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $30,290 |
Highest-paying jobs in Waterloo
- Physicians, All Other$316,870
- Family Medicine Physicians$259,750
- Chief Executives$222,780
- Dentists, General$169,110
- Lawyers$155,780
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$149,510
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$146,570
- Physician Assistants$145,030
- Financial Managers$142,480
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$141,630
Most common jobs in Waterloo and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 2,920 | $44,190 | $47,440 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 2,500 | $28,660 | $27,820 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,460 | $34,440 | $31,270 |
| Cashiers | 2,340 | $30,630 | $29,320 |
| Registered Nurses | 1,890 | $76,500 | $76,920 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 1,610 | $51,160 | $50,310 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 1,600 | $58,800 | $58,730 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,560 | $37,810 | $36,990 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 1,540 | $44,150 | $39,530 |
| General and Operations Managers | 1,510 | $100,270 | $82,400 |
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Cost of living in Waterloo
Prices in the Waterloo area are 13% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 87.1 for 2024. The average local salary of $56,540 therefore buys what $64,946 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $200,191, 2.9 times the median household income of $68,916.
$200,191typical home value
$68,916median household income
87.1BEA price parity
168,163metro population
Take-home pay in Waterloo
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $36,020 | $30,365 | $2,530 |
| Median wage | $47,430 | $39,099 | $3,258 |
| Average wage | $56,540 | $46,073 | $3,839 |
| 75th percentile wage | $63,660 | $51,524 | $4,294 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Salaries for every job in Waterloo
Management22 jobs
- Chief Executives$223K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$150K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$147K
- Financial Managers$142K
- Sales Managers$136K
- Human Resources Managers$131K
- Marketing Managers$122K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$120K
- Industrial Production Managers$115K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$109K
- Managers, All Other$109K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$104K
- Administrative Services Managers$103K
- Construction Managers$102K
- General and Operations Managers$100K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$98K
- Facilities Managers$97K
- Food Service Managers$70K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$68K
- Social and Community Service Managers$65K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$61K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$49K
Legal3 jobs
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical28 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$317K
- Family Medicine Physicians$260K
- Dentists, General$169K
- Physician Assistants$145K
- Nurse Practitioners$135K
- Pharmacists$135K
- Veterinarians$128K
- Physical Therapists$95K
- Occupational Therapists$93K
- Dental Hygienists$86K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$83K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$82K
- Registered Nurses$76K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$75K
- Chiropractors$72K
- Respiratory Therapists$69K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$68K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$62K
- Paramedics$60K
- Surgical Technologists$57K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$51K
- Medical Records Specialists$50K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$50K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$46K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$44K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$44K
- Opticians, Dispensing$44K
- Pharmacy Technicians$44K
Computer and Mathematical11 jobs
- Software Developers$117K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$110K
- Information Security Analysts$109K
- Data Scientists$95K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$91K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$86K
- Computer Systems Analysts$84K
- Web Developers$80K
- Computer Programmers$78K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$65K
- Computer User Support Specialists$61K
Architecture and Engineering7 jobs
Life, Physical, and Social Science1 jobs
Business and Financial Operations20 jobs
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$142K
- Personal Financial Advisors$134K
- Labor Relations Specialists$106K
- Project Management Specialists$89K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$87K
- Management Analysts$86K
- Accountants and Auditors$81K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$80K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$79K
- Logisticians$79K
- Cost Estimators$78K
- Loan Officers$78K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$78K
- Financial Examiners$78K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$76K
- Compliance Officers$72K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$69K
- Human Resources Specialists$68K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$64K
- Training and Development Specialists$60K
Construction and Extraction12 jobs
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$83K
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$82K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$66K
- Electricians$65K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$65K
- Sheet Metal Workers$63K
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$61K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$60K
- Carpenters$57K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$56K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$54K
- Construction Laborers$53K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair18 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$95K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$79K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$75K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$71K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$67K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$66K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$66K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$65K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$63K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$60K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$58K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$53K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$52K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$51K
- Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$51K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$50K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$42K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$41K
Protective Service7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$104K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$87K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$78K
- Firefighters$66K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$53K
- Security Guards$43K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$25K
Community and Social Service10 jobs
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$85K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$66K
- Healthcare Social Workers$65K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$62K
- Clergy$61K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$58K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$57K
- Community Health Workers$48K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$46K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$45K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media8 jobs
Educational Instruction and Library21 jobs
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$125K
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$90K
- Tutors$77K
- Instructional Coordinators$76K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$73K
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$71K
- Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$64K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$64K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$63K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$61K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$60K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$60K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$58K
- Library Technicians$48K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$45K
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$42K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$40K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$38K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$34K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$30K
Production34 jobs
- Power Plant Operators$83K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74K
- Tool and Die Makers$66K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$65K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$61K
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders$59K
- Machinists$57K
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$57K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$55K
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$55K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$55K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$55K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$54K
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$54K
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers$54K
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$51K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$49K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$48K
- Helpers--Production Workers$46K
- Production Workers, All Other$46K
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$44K
- Food Batchmakers$44K
- Printing Press Operators$42K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$37K
- Sewing Machine Operators$35K
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers$34K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$33K
- Bakers$33K
Office and Administrative Support35 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$64K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$63K
- Postal Service Clerks$63K
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$62K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$62K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$60K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$58K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$58K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$56K
- File Clerks$52K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$52K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$51K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$50K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$49K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$49K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$49K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$49K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$47K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$46K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$45K
- Data Entry Keyers$45K
- Office Clerks, General$45K
- Customer Service Representatives$44K
- New Accounts Clerks$44K
- Order Clerks$43K
- Word Processors and Typists$42K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$42K
- Bill and Account Collectors$41K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$41K
- Tellers$40K
- Couriers and Messengers$38K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$36K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$31K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$26K
Transportation and Material Moving14 jobs
- Crane and Tower Operators$64K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$62K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$59K
- Bus Drivers, School$55K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$52K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46K
- Light Truck Drivers$46K
- Driver/Sales Workers$45K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$44K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$38K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$37K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$35K
- Parking Attendants$31K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry2 jobs
Sales and Related15 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$123K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$92K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$77K
- Insurance Sales Agents$73K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$72K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$65K
- Advertising Sales Agents$60K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$50K
- Parts Salespersons$47K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$44K
- Travel Agents$44K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$35K
- Retail Salespersons$34K
- Cashiers$31K
- Telemarketers$30K
Healthcare Support10 jobs
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance6 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$58K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$48K
- Pest Control Workers$42K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$41K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$32K
Personal Care and Service11 jobs
- Skincare Specialists$66K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$47K
- Residential Advisors$41K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$40K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$39K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$38K
- Recreation Workers$33K
- Animal Caretakers$31K
- Childcare Workers$28K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$26K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$24K
Food Preparation and Serving Related13 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$51K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$41K
- Cooks, Restaurant$35K
- Cooks, Short Order$35K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35K
- Food Preparation Workers$32K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$31K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$29K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$29K
- Dishwashers$28K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$28K
- Waiters and Waitresses$26K
- Bartenders$25K
Average salary in nearby cities
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Salary in Waterloo: questions
What is a good salary in Waterloo?
Half of all workers in the Waterloo metro earn less than $47,430 and the average is $56,540. Earning more than $63,660 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Waterloo to match a $70,751 salary elsewhere?
About $61,594, because prices here are 13% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 87.1).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Waterloo?
Physicians, All Other ($316,870), Family Medicine Physicians ($259,750), Chief Executives ($222,780).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA (47940), all occupations and 308 individual jobs.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.