Waterloo Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Waterloo, IA: $17.20/hr median hourly wage, $35,785 median annual salary, cost of living index 82.5, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Iowa taxes.
Waterloo Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Waterloo, IA is $17.20/hr, equivalent to $35,785 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $10.66/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $24.42/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$35,785
$17.20/hr
Cost of Living
82.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.1%
rate
Waterloo, IA Overview
Population
67,314
Median Salary
$35,785
Average Salary
$40,079
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$135,000
Median Rent
$574/mo
Job Growth
+2.6%
Sales Tax
6%
Waterloo is located in Iowa with a population of 67,314. The median household salary is $35,785 per year ($17.20/hour), which is $23,599 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.6%.
Waterloo Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Waterloo, IA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,785 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $22,187 | $10.66/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,785 | $17.20/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,815 | $24.42/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $63,697 | $30.62/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Waterloo Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Waterloo, IA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$28,894
$2,407.79/month · $1,111.29/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.3%
Gross Pay
$35,785
Federal Tax
-$2,114
State Tax
-$2,040
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,738
Net Pay
$28,894
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,982.08 | $35,785.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$176.18 | -$2,114.20 |
| Iowa State Tax (5.7%) | -$169.98 | -$2,039.75 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$184.89 | -$2,218.67 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$43.24 | -$518.88 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,407.79 | $28,893.50 |
Salary Comparison: Waterloo vs Other Cities
See how Waterloo's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo, IA | $35,785 | 82.5 | $43,376 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Conway, AR | $35,785 | 84.5 | $42,349 |
| Kenner, LA | $35,784 | 92.5 | $38,685 |
| Ames, IA | $35,784 | 92.5 | $38,685 |
| Lafayette, IN | $35,789 | 84.8 | $42,204 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Waterloo
Waterloo's cost of living index is 82.5 (national average = 100). Living in Waterloo is 17.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$135,000
Median Monthly Rent
$574
Annual Rent Cost
$6,888
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $28,894 annual take-home pay in Waterloo has the purchasing power of approximately $35,022 in an average-cost US area. Your $35,785 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Waterloo
Waterloo's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,785.
Salary Tips for Waterloo Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Waterloo has a cost of living 17.5% below the national average. A salary of $35,785 here has the purchasing power of about $43,376 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.7% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Waterloo's top industries include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,785 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Waterloo salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Waterloo-IA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Waterloo indexed at 82.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Waterloo's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,785 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Iowa state income tax (5.7%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Waterloo: 3.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Iowa.
- Housing context: median home price $135,000, median rent $574/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Waterloo, IA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Waterloo unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Waterloo QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Iowa — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Waterloo's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Iowa labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Waterloo, IA?
The median hourly wage in Waterloo, IA is $17.20 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $35,785 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $10.66/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $24.42/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Waterloo, IA?
The median salary in Waterloo, IA is $35,785 per year, or $17.20 per hour. The average salary is $40,079. This is $23,599 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Waterloo, IA?
Waterloo's cost of living index is 82.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 17.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $135,000 and the median monthly rent is $574.
What are the best industries in Waterloo?
The top industries in Waterloo, IA include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance. The city has a job growth rate of 2.6% and an unemployment rate of 3.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,785.
How does Waterloo's salary compare to other cities?
Waterloo's median salary of $35,785 is 39.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 82.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $43,376.
What is the minimum wage in Waterloo, IA?
The minimum wage in Waterloo, IA is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.