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

Retail Salesperson Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, retail salespersons earned a median annual wage of $31,100 ($14.95/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,000/year and the 90th was $45,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,639 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,100$14.95 per hour · $2,592 monthly
10th Percentile$25,000$12.02/hr base
25th Percentile$28,400$13.65/hr base
75th Percentile$35,900$17.26/hr base
90th Percentile$45,500$21.88/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

$31,100
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,100
Net 86%
Fed 5%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,639After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,220Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,025Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,552 / yr
Iowa state income tax$530 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,379 / yr

Retail Salespersons 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 Retail Salespersons in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$12.02/hr$2,083$25,000$21,899
25th Percentile$13.65/hr$2,367$28,400$24,570
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.95/hr$2,592$31,100$26,639
75th Percentile$17.26/hr$2,992$35,900$30,313
90th Percentile$21.88/hr$3,792$45,500$37,662

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,100 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 Ratio43.9%of area median income

Compare retail salespersons salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Salespersons Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for retail salespersons in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for retail salespersons in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $31,100, which equates to approximately $2,592 per month or $14.95 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for retail salespersons in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for retail salespersons in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $14.95 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.02/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.88/hour.

What is the pay range for retail salespersons in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for retail salespersons in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $25,000 at the 10th percentile to $28,400 at the 25th, $35,900 at the 75th, and $45,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do retail salespersons take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $31,100, an estimated $26,639 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,025 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,461 (an effective rate of 14.3%).

How much do retail salespersons make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $31,100, gross monthly income is $2,592. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,220 per month (or $1,025 every two weeks).

Is $31,100 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $31,100, the median salary for retail salespersons is 43.9% 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.