Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker Salary in Waterloo, IA
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median $38,770 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,510 take-home, or $2,709 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median landscaping and groundskeeping worker salary in Waterloo, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,472
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,404
- Medicare (1.45%)$562
- Iowa income tax$821
- Take-home pay$32,510
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker pay by experience in Waterloo, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,800 | $13.37 | $24,099 | $2,008 |
| 25th percentile | $31,740 | $15.26 | $27,129 | $2,261 |
| Median (50th) | $38,770 | $18.64 | $32,510 | $2,709 |
| 75th percentile | $45,840 | $22.04 | $37,922 | $3,160 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,760 | $27.77 | $47,047 | $3,921 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,770 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 landscaping and groundskeeping worker's $32,510 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,344 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker jobs are about as common in Waterloo, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for landscaping and groundskeeping workers, adjusted for cost of living
Waterloo, IA ranks #26 of 264 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $45,040 | $38,370 | $42,224 |
| 2 | Omaha, NE | $45,970 | $37,905 | $41,241 |
| 3 | Rochester, MN | $45,550 | $37,161 | $40,917 |
| 4 | St. Cloud, MN | $43,770 | $35,826 | $40,882 |
| 5 | Des Moines, IA | $45,180 | $37,417 | $40,803 |
| 6 | Barnstable Town, MA | $49,010 | $39,329 | $39,988 |
| 7 | Appleton, WI | $44,380 | $36,668 | $39,675 |
| 8 | Pittsfield, MA | $46,190 | $37,204 | $39,119 |
| 26 | Waterloo, IA | $38,770 | $32,510 | $37,344 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 264 metros →
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Des Moines, IA — $45,180
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $39,830
- Iowa City, IA — $39,580
- Davenport, IA — $37,950
Frequently asked questions
How much does a landscaping and groundskeeping worker make in Waterloo, IA?
The median landscaping and groundskeeping worker salary in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $38,770 a year, or about $18.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,740 and $45,840.
What is a landscaping and groundskeeping worker’s take-home pay in Waterloo, IA?
On the median $38,770 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $32,510 a year ($2,709 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $821 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Waterloo, IA a good place to work as a landscaping and groundskeeping worker?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $39,150. Local prices are 12.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,344 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterloo, IA ranks #26 of 264 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a landscaping and groundskeeping worker 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) — 29% of a median landscaping and groundskeeping worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.