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

Human Resources Specialist Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, human resources specialists earned a median annual wage of $66,200 ($31.83/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $45,000/year and the 90th was $109,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $53,508 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$66,200$31.83 per hour · $5,517 monthly
10th Percentile$45,000$21.63/hr base
25th Percentile$53,500$25.72/hr base
75th Percentile$85,100$40.91/hr base
90th Percentile$109,800$52.79/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

$66,200
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,200
Net 81%
Fed 9%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,508After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,459Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,058Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,764 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,864 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,064 / yr

Human Resources Specialists 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 Human Resources Specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$21.63/hr$3,750$45,000$37,279
25th Percentile$25.72/hr$4,458$53,500$43,786
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$31.83/hr$5,517$66,200$53,508
75th Percentile$40.91/hr$7,092$85,100$66,116
90th Percentile$52.79/hr$9,150$109,800$82,554

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$66,200 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 Ratio93.5%of area median income

Compare human resources specialists salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Resources Specialists Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for human resources specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for human resources specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $66,200, which equates to approximately $5,517 per month or $31.83 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for human resources specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for human resources specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $31.83 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $21.63/hour and one in ten earned more than $52.79/hour.

What is the pay range for human resources specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for human resources specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $45,000 at the 10th percentile to $53,500 at the 25th, $85,100 at the 75th, and $109,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do human resources specialists take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $66,200, an estimated $53,508 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,058 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $12,692 (an effective rate of 19.2%).

How much do human resources specialists make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $66,200, gross monthly income is $5,517. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,459 per month (or $2,058 every two weeks).

Is $66,200 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $66,200, the median salary for human resources specialists is 93.5% 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.