Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Administrative Assistant Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, administrative assistants earned a median annual wage of $44,800 ($21.54/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,600/year and the 90th was $60,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,126 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$44,800$21.54 per hour · $3,733 monthly
10th Percentile$33,600$16.15/hr base
25th Percentile$37,700$18.13/hr base
75th Percentile$50,700$24.38/hr base
90th Percentile$60,300$28.99/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$44,800
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,800
Net 83%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,126After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,094Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,428Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,196 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,051 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,427 / yr

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Wage Percentiles in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$16.15/hr$2,800$33,600$28,553
25th Percentile$18.13/hr$3,142$37,700$31,691
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.54/hr$3,733$44,800$37,126
75th Percentile$24.38/hr$4,225$50,700$41,643
90th Percentile$28.99/hr$5,025$60,300$48,991

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$70,811Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.112.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio63.3%of area median income

Compare administrative assistants salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for administrative assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for administrative assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $44,800, which equates to approximately $3,733 per month or $21.54 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for administrative assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for administrative assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $21.54 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.15/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.99/hour.

What is the pay range for administrative assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for administrative assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $33,600 at the 10th percentile to $37,700 at the 25th, $50,700 at the 75th, and $60,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do administrative assistants take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $44,800, an estimated $37,126 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,428 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,674 (an effective rate of 17.1%).

How much do administrative assistants make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $44,800, gross monthly income is $3,733. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,094 per month (or $1,428 every two weeks).

Is $44,800 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $44,800, the median salary for administrative assistants is 63.3% of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median household income ($70,811). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.1, making regional consumer goods and services 12.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.