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

Auto Mechanic Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, auto mechanics earned a median annual wage of $50,100 ($24.09/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,800/year and the 90th was $76,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $41,183 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$50,100$24.09 per hour · $4,175 monthly
10th Percentile$35,800$17.21/hr base
25th Percentile$39,000$18.75/hr base
75th Percentile$66,700$32.07/hr base
90th Percentile$76,800$36.92/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

$50,100
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,100
Net 82%
Fed 8%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$41,183After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,432Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,584Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,832 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,252 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,833 / yr

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$30,237
25th Percentile$18.75/hr$3,250$39,000$32,686
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$24.09/hr$4,175$50,100$41,183
75th Percentile$32.07/hr$5,558$66,700$53,871
90th Percentile$36.92/hr$6,400$76,800$60,592

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$50,100 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 Ratio70.8%of area median income

Compare auto mechanics salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for auto mechanics in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for auto mechanics in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $50,100, which equates to approximately $4,175 per month or $24.09 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for auto mechanics in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for auto mechanics in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $24.09 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.21/hour and one in ten earned more than $36.92/hour.

What is the pay range for auto mechanics in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for auto mechanics in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $35,800 at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 25th, $66,700 at the 75th, and $76,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do auto mechanics take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $50,100, an estimated $41,183 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,584 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,917 (an effective rate of 17.8%).

How much do auto mechanics make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $50,100, gross monthly income is $4,175. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,432 per month (or $1,584 every two weeks).

Is $50,100 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $50,100, the median salary for auto mechanics is 70.8% 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.