Cashier Salary in Waterloo, IA
Cashiers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median $29,320 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,276 take-home, or $2,106 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Waterloo, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,338
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,818
- Medicare (1.45%)$425
- Iowa income tax$462
- Take-home pay$25,276
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Cashier pay by experience in Waterloo, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,300 | $11.20 | $20,564 | $1,714 |
| 25th percentile | $28,430 | $13.67 | $24,594 | $2,049 |
| Median (50th) | $29,320 | $14.10 | $25,276 | $2,106 |
| 75th percentile | $35,600 | $17.12 | $30,084 | $2,507 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,650 | $17.62 | $30,887 | $2,574 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,320 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 cashier's $25,276 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,034 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waterloo, IA has 1.4× the national concentration of cashier jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Waterloo, IA ranks #91 of 387 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Yakima, WA | $36,010 | $31,114 | $32,565 |
| 3 | Longview, WA | $36,350 | $31,387 | $32,177 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 5 | Lewiston, ID | $34,660 | $29,301 | $32,142 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 7 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 8 | Mount Vernon, WA | $37,960 | $32,681 | $31,902 |
| 91 | Waterloo, IA | $29,320 | $25,276 | $29,034 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 387 metros →
Cashier salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $31,200
- Dubuque, IA — $30,500
- Sioux City, IA — $29,470
- Ames, IA — $29,230
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $29,270
- Des Moines, IA — $29,640
- Iowa City, IA — $29,080
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Waterloo, IA?
The median cashier salary in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $29,320 a year, or about $14.10 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,430 and $35,600.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Waterloo, IA?
On the median $29,320 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $25,276 a year ($2,106 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $462 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Waterloo, IA a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 12.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,034 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterloo, IA ranks #91 of 387 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier 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) — 38% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.