Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator Salary in Waterloo, IA
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median $50,310 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,344 take-home, or $3,445 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$3,857
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,119
- Medicare (1.45%)$729
- Iowa income tax$1,260
- Take-home pay$41,344
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator pay by experience in Waterloo, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,160 | $19.31 | $33,574 | $2,798 |
| 25th percentile | $48,990 | $23.55 | $40,334 | $3,361 |
| Median (50th) | $50,310 | $24.19 | $41,344 | $3,445 |
| 75th percentile | $54,170 | $26.04 | $44,299 | $3,692 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,680 | $29.65 | $50,048 | $4,171 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,310 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 miscellaneous assembler and fabricator's $41,344 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,491 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 2.1× the national concentration of miscellaneous assembler and fabricator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators, adjusted for cost of living
Waterloo, IA ranks #13 of 266 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lafayette, LA | $64,950 | $52,805 | $60,550 |
| 2 | Jackson, MS | $63,170 | $51,142 | $57,432 |
| 3 | Lafayette, IN | $63,140 | $51,080 | $54,672 |
| 4 | Spartanburg, SC | $59,300 | $47,427 | $52,088 |
| 5 | Lexington, KY | $59,730 | $48,200 | $51,890 |
| 6 | St. Joseph, MO | $54,400 | $44,271 | $51,250 |
| 7 | Grand Forks, ND | $51,850 | $43,841 | $50,588 |
| 8 | Oshkosh, WI | $57,260 | $46,450 | $49,984 |
| 13 | Waterloo, IA | $50,310 | $41,344 | $47,491 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 266 metros →
Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Dubuque, IA — $50,320
- Ames, IA — $49,360
- Des Moines, IA — $47,880
- Davenport, IA — $45,470
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $42,760
Frequently asked questions
How much does a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator make in Waterloo, IA?
The median miscellaneous assembler and fabricator salary in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $50,310 a year, or about $24.19 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,990 and $54,170.
What is a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator’s take-home pay in Waterloo, IA?
On the median $50,310 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $41,344 a year ($3,445 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,260 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Waterloo, IA a good place to work as a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $44,650. Local prices are 12.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,491 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterloo, IA ranks #13 of 266 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator 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) — 23% of a median miscellaneous assembler and fabricator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.