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

Light Truck Driver Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, light truck drivers earned a median annual wage of $42,400 ($20.38/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,400/year and the 90th was $91,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,289 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$42,400$20.38 per hour · $3,533 monthly
10th Percentile$29,400$14.13/hr base
25th Percentile$36,800$17.69/hr base
75th Percentile$47,100$22.64/hr base
90th Percentile$91,700$44.09/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

$42,400
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$42,400
Net 83%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,289After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,941Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,357Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,908 / yr
Iowa state income tax$959 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,244 / yr

Light Truck Drivers 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 Light Truck Drivers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$14.13/hr$2,450$29,400$25,338
25th Percentile$17.69/hr$3,067$36,800$31,002
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.38/hr$3,533$42,400$35,289
75th Percentile$22.64/hr$3,925$47,100$38,887
90th Percentile$44.09/hr$7,642$91,700$70,508

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,400 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 Ratio59.9%of area median income

Compare light truck drivers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Light Truck Drivers Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for light truck drivers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for light truck drivers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $42,400, which equates to approximately $3,533 per month or $20.38 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for light truck drivers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for light truck drivers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $20.38 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $44.09/hour.

What is the pay range for light truck drivers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for light truck drivers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $29,400 at the 10th percentile to $36,800 at the 25th, $47,100 at the 75th, and $91,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do light truck drivers take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $42,400, an estimated $35,289 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,357 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,111 (an effective rate of 16.8%).

How much do light truck drivers make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $42,400, gross monthly income is $3,533. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,941 per month (or $1,357 every two weeks).

Is $42,400 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $42,400, the median salary for light truck drivers is 59.9% 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.