SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — Waterloo
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · 7 metro areas compared
In Waterloo, IA the median wage is $29,700.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Waterloo, IA the median wage is $29,700. That is 18.8% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay ranges from under $26,310 at the tenth percentile to more than $44,990 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $26,310 to $36,340.
Employment stands at 170, or 2.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Dubuque records the highest median at $36,660. Of the 309 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 295th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,310 | −28.0% |
| 25th | $26,310 | −28.0% |
| Median (50th) | $29,700 | −18.8% |
| 75th | $36,340 | −0.6% |
| 90th | $44,990 | +23.1% |
| Mean | $33,370 | −8.7% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubuque | $36,660 | 80 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $36,150 | 630 | |
| 3 | Sioux City | $35,700 | 110 | |
| 4 | Iowa City | $31,740 | 180 | |
| 5 | Davenport | $31,280 | 290 | |
| 6 | Ames | $31,110 | 240 | |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $29,740 | 310 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Waterloo run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $29,700 goes as far as $33,827 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,700as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,827US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,700 a year, 18.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,310 to $44,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dubuque, at $36,660.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in Waterloo, IA?
The median annual wage is $29,700, or $14.28 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $36,560, so pay in Waterloo, IA is 18.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Waterloo, IA earns more than $44,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,310 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Dubuque, at $36,660 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in Waterloo, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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