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

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $20,800 ($10.00/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $15,000/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 $18,600 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$20,800$10.00 per hour · $1,733 monthly
10th Percentile$15,000$7.21/hr base
25th Percentile$15,000$7.21/hr base
75th Percentile$35,100$16.88/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

$20,800
$15,000$45,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$20,800
Net 89%
Fed 2%
IA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$18,600After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,550Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$715Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate10.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$470 / yr
Iowa state income tax$139 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,591 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses 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 Waiters and Waitresses in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$7.21/hr$1,250$15,000$13,853
25th Percentile$7.21/hr$1,250$15,000$13,853
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$10.00/hr$1,733$20,800$18,600
75th Percentile$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$29,701
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 $$20,800 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 Ratio29.4%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $20,800, which equates to approximately $1,733 per month or $10.00 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $10.00 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $7.21/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.88/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $15,000 at the 10th percentile to $15,000 at the 25th, $35,100 at the 75th, and $47,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $20,800, an estimated $18,600 lands in net take-home pay per year ($715 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $2,200 (an effective rate of 10.6%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $20,800, gross monthly income is $1,733. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,550 per month (or $715 every two weeks).

Is $20,800 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $20,800, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 29.4% 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.