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

Nursing Assistant Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, nursing assistants earned a median annual wage of $39,000 ($18.75/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,300/year and the 90th was $47,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,686 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,000$18.75 per hour · $3,250 monthly
10th Percentile$35,300$16.97/hr base
25th Percentile$37,100$17.84/hr base
75th Percentile$45,300$21.78/hr base
90th Percentile$47,600$22.88/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

$39,000
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,000
Net 84%
Fed 6%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,686After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,724Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,257Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,500 / yr
Iowa state income tax$830 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,984 / yr

Nursing 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 Nursing Assistants in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$16.97/hr$2,942$35,300$29,854
25th Percentile$17.84/hr$3,092$37,100$31,232
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.75/hr$3,250$39,000$32,686
75th Percentile$21.78/hr$3,775$45,300$37,509
90th Percentile$22.88/hr$3,967$47,600$39,270

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,000 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 Ratio55.1%of area median income

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

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

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

The official BLS median annual wage for nursing assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $39,000, which equates to approximately $3,250 per month or $18.75 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for nursing assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $18.75 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.97/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.88/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for nursing assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $35,300 at the 10th percentile to $37,100 at the 25th, $45,300 at the 75th, and $47,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $39,000, an estimated $32,686 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,257 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,314 (an effective rate of 16.2%).

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

On the median annual salary of $39,000, gross monthly income is $3,250. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,724 per month (or $1,257 every two weeks).

Is $39,000 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $39,000, the median salary for nursing assistants is 55.1% 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.