Retail Salesperson Salary in Waterloo, IA
Retail Salespersons in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median $31,270 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,769 take-home, or $2,231 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Waterloo, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,572
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,939
- Medicare (1.45%)$453
- Iowa income tax$536
- Take-home pay$26,769
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Waterloo, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,380 | $12.68 | $22,983 | $1,915 |
| 25th percentile | $28,450 | $13.68 | $24,609 | $2,051 |
| Median (50th) | $31,270 | $15.03 | $26,769 | $2,231 |
| 75th percentile | $36,350 | $17.48 | $30,658 | $2,555 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,890 | $22.06 | $37,961 | $3,163 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,270 buys in Waterloo, IA
Prices in Waterloo, IA are 12.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 37% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $26,769 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,749 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Waterloo, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Waterloo, IA ranks #34 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 2 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 3 | Yakima, WA | $36,640 | $31,620 | $33,095 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | $29,981 | $33,080 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $36,000 | $29,999 | $33,030 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $44,220 | $36,378 | $32,944 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $34,650 | $28,986 | $32,654 |
| 8 | Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | $28,977 | $32,500 |
| 34 | Waterloo, IA | $31,270 | $26,769 | $30,749 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
About the job: retail salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $33,430
- Des Moines, IA — $33,430
- Davenport, IA — $32,030
- Iowa City, IA — $29,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Waterloo, IA?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $31,270 a year, or about $15.03 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,450 and $36,350.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Waterloo, IA?
On the median $31,270 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $26,769 a year ($2,231 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $536 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Waterloo, IA a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 12.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,749 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterloo, IA ranks #34 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Waterloo, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Waterloo, IA is $793 a month ($1,040 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.