SOC 25-2022 · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary in Waterloo, IA

The average salary for middle school teachers (except special and career/technical education) in Waterloo, Iowa is $64,240 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $60,460: half of the 400 people in this job in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,030).

$64,240average per year

Median $60,460Take-home ≈ $51,968

  • $47K10th
  • $49K25th
  • $60KMedian
  • $77K75th
  • $88K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

400people in this job
-11%vs U.S. average
#4 of 7Iowa metros
87cost of living (U.S. = 100)
Advertisement

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay range in Waterloo

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,170 a year or less, while the top 10% make $88,380 or more. The middle half of middle school teachers (except special and career/technical education) in Waterloo earn between $48,710 and $77,240.

  • $47K10th
  • $49K25th
  • $60KMedian
  • $77K75th
  • $88K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$64,240$5,353—
Median$60,460$5,038—
Entry level (25th percentile)$48,710$4,059—
Experienced (75th percentile)$77,240$6,437—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay in Waterloo vs. Iowa and the U.S.

Middle school teachers (except special and career/technical education) in Waterloo earn 7% more than the Iowa average ($60,080) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($72,030). At the median the gap is -6% against the U.S. median of $64,370.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Waterloo$64,240$60,460$47,170$88,380400
Iowa$60,080$60,450$40,920$79,1106,270
United States$72,030$64,370$48,080$102,540620,090

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary after taxes in Waterloo

On the average salary of $64,240, a single filer in Waterloo takes home about $51,968 a year, or $4,331 a month and $1,999 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.

Iowa paycheck calculator: try your own salary

Advertisement

Is Waterloo a good place for middle school teachers (except special and career/technical education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Waterloo area are 13% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 87.1), so the average $64,240 buys what about $73,791 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Waterloo ($47,430). A typical home costs $200,191, or 3.1 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $64,240 is worth in another city

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in other Iowa cities

Waterloo ranks 4th of 7 Iowa metro areas for this job; Cedar Rapids pays the most ($66,660).

All Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salaries in Iowa

Highest-paying cities for middle school teachers (except special and career/technical education)

El Centro, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($117,020).

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary by city

Advertisement

Does this match what you are paid?

Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.

Share your pay anonymously

Reviewed before it counts. Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Waterloo, IA.

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in Waterloo: questions

What is the entry-level middle school teachers (except special and career/technical education) salary in Waterloo?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,170 a year and the 25th percentile is $48,710, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the middle school teachers (except special and career/technical education) take-home pay in Waterloo?

About $51,968 a year ($4,331 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $64,240. Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.

Do middle school teachers (except special and career/technical education) earn more in Waterloo than elsewhere?

The average here is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,030).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2022; area Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA (47940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.18, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.