Nursing Assistant Salary in Waterloo, IA
Nursing Assistants in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median $38,930 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,633 take-home, or $2,719 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Waterloo, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,492
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,414
- Medicare (1.45%)$564
- Iowa income tax$828
- Take-home pay$32,633
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Waterloo, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,790 | $17.21 | $30,229 | $2,519 |
| 25th percentile | $36,690 | $17.64 | $30,918 | $2,576 |
| Median (50th) | $38,930 | $18.72 | $32,633 | $2,719 |
| 75th percentile | $45,550 | $21.90 | $37,700 | $3,142 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,560 | $22.38 | $38,473 | $3,206 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,930 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 nursing assistant's $32,633 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,484 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 1.8× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Waterloo, IA ranks #77 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 77 | Waterloo, IA | $38,930 | $32,633 | $37,484 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Ames, IA — $43,540
- Des Moines, IA — $43,940
- Dubuque, IA — $41,580
- Sioux City, IA — $38,940
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $39,110
- Davenport, IA — $38,740
- Iowa City, IA — $39,330
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Waterloo, IA?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $38,930 a year, or about $18.72 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,690 and $45,550.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Waterloo, IA?
On the median $38,930 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $32,633 a year ($2,719 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $828 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Waterloo, IA a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 12.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,484 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterloo, IA ranks #77 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant 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 nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Waterloo, IA
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $36,510