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

Home Health or Personal Care Aide Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, home health or personal care aides earned a median annual wage of $35,800 ($17.21/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,200/year and the 90th was $45,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,237 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,800$17.21 per hour · $2,983 monthly
10th Percentile$30,200$14.52/hr base
25th Percentile$33,300$16.01/hr base
75th Percentile$39,300$18.89/hr base
90th Percentile$45,100$21.68/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

$35,800
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,800
Net 84%
Fed 6%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,237After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,520Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,163Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,116 / yr
Iowa state income tax$709 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,739 / yr

Home Health and Personal Care Aides 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 Home Health and Personal Care Aides in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$14.52/hr$2,517$30,200$25,950
25th Percentile$16.01/hr$2,775$33,300$28,323
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$30,237
75th Percentile$18.89/hr$3,275$39,300$32,916
90th Percentile$21.68/hr$3,758$45,100$37,356

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,800 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 Ratio50.6%of area median income

Compare home health or personal care aides salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Health and Personal Care Aides Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for home health or personal care aides in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for home health or personal care aides in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $35,800, which equates to approximately $2,983 per month or $17.21 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for home health or personal care aides in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for home health or personal care aides in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $17.21 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.52/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.68/hour.

What is the pay range for home health or personal care aides in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for home health or personal care aides in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $30,200 at the 10th percentile to $33,300 at the 25th, $39,300 at the 75th, and $45,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do home health or personal care aides take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $35,800, an estimated $30,237 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,163 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,563 (an effective rate of 15.5%).

How much do home health or personal care aides make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $35,800, gross monthly income is $2,983. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,520 per month (or $1,163 every two weeks).

Is $35,800 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $35,800, the median salary for home health or personal care aides is 50.6% 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.