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

Medical Assistant Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, medical assistants earned a median annual wage of $45,100 ($21.68/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,400/year and the 90th was $54,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,356 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,100$21.68 per hour · $3,758 monthly
10th Percentile$36,400$17.50/hr base
25th Percentile$38,700$18.61/hr base
75th Percentile$47,600$22.88/hr base
90th Percentile$54,500$26.20/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

$45,100
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,100
Net 83%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,356After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,113Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,437Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,232 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,062 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,450 / yr

Medical 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 Medical Assistants in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$30,696
25th Percentile$18.61/hr$3,225$38,700$32,457
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.68/hr$3,758$45,100$37,356
75th Percentile$22.88/hr$3,967$47,600$39,270
90th Percentile$26.20/hr$4,542$54,500$44,552

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,100 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 Ratio63.7%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Assistants Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

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

The official BLS median annual wage for medical assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $45,100, which equates to approximately $3,758 per month or $21.68 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for medical assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $21.68 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.50/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.20/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for medical assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $36,400 at the 10th percentile to $38,700 at the 25th, $47,600 at the 75th, and $54,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $45,100, an estimated $37,356 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,437 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,744 (an effective rate of 17.2%).

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

On the median annual salary of $45,100, gross monthly income is $3,758. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,113 per month (or $1,437 every two weeks).

Is $45,100 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $45,100, the median salary for medical assistants is 63.7% 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.