Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator Salary in Waterloo, IA
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median $51,600 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $42,332 take-home, or $3,528 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer numerically controlled tool operator salary in Waterloo, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,012
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,199
- Medicare (1.45%)$748
- Iowa income tax$1,309
- Take-home pay$42,332
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator pay by experience in Waterloo, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,070 | $22.63 | $38,864 | $3,239 |
| 25th percentile | $50,380 | $24.22 | $41,398 | $3,450 |
| Median (50th) | $51,600 | $24.81 | $42,332 | $3,528 |
| 75th percentile | $60,170 | $28.93 | $48,892 | $4,074 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,460 | $30.51 | $51,410 | $4,284 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $51,600 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 computer numerically controlled tool operator's $42,332 take-home pay has the buying power of $48,625 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 7.8× the national concentration of computer numerically controlled tool operator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer numerically controlled tool operators, adjusted for cost of living
Waterloo, IA ranks #7 of 70 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $109,600 | $85,934 | $77,325 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $59,270 | $49,803 | $54,029 |
| 3 | Huntsville, AL | $61,790 | $49,004 | $52,651 |
| 4 | Birmingham, AL | $59,080 | $46,962 | $51,244 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh, PA | $58,770 | $47,597 | $50,277 |
| 6 | Sioux Falls, SD | $52,220 | $44,139 | $48,702 |
| 7 | Waterloo, IA | $51,600 | $42,332 | $48,625 |
| 8 | Lancaster, PA | $58,970 | $47,752 | $48,599 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 70 metros →
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $48,690
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer numerically controlled tool operator make in Waterloo, IA?
The median computer numerically controlled tool operator salary in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $51,600 a year, or about $24.81 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,380 and $60,170.
What is a computer numerically controlled tool operator’s take-home pay in Waterloo, IA?
On the median $51,600 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $42,332 a year ($3,528 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,309 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Waterloo, IA a good place to work as a computer numerically controlled tool operator?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $50,690. Local prices are 12.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $48,625 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterloo, IA ranks #7 of 70 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer numerically controlled tool operator 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) — 22% of a median computer numerically controlled tool operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.