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

Medical Secretary Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, medical secretaries earned a median annual wage of $40,700 ($19.57/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,000/year and the 90th was $49,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $33,988 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$40,700$19.57 per hour · $3,392 monthly
10th Percentile$35,000$16.83/hr base
25th Percentile$37,300$17.93/hr base
75th Percentile$46,600$22.40/hr base
90th Percentile$49,700$23.89/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

$40,700
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$40,700
Net 84%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,988After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,832Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,307Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,704 / yr
Iowa state income tax$895 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,114 / yr

Medical Secretaries and Administrative 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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$29,624
25th Percentile$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$31,385
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.57/hr$3,392$40,700$33,988
75th Percentile$22.40/hr$3,883$46,600$38,504
90th Percentile$23.89/hr$4,142$49,700$40,877

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$40,700 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 Ratio57.5%of area median income

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

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

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

The official BLS median annual wage for medical secretaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $40,700, which equates to approximately $3,392 per month or $19.57 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for medical secretaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $19.57 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.83/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.89/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for medical secretaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $35,000 at the 10th percentile to $37,300 at the 25th, $46,600 at the 75th, and $49,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $40,700, an estimated $33,988 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,307 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,712 (an effective rate of 16.5%).

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

On the median annual salary of $40,700, gross monthly income is $3,392. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,832 per month (or $1,307 every two weeks).

Is $40,700 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $40,700, the median salary for medical secretaries is 57.5% 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.