Helpers--Production Workers Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
In Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, helpers--production workers earn $48,830 at the median — $23.48 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $50K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.06), which stretches that salary to about $56,088 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,051/month — about 31.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $49K get you in Waterloo-Cedar Falls?
About helpers--production workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Entry-level helpers--production workers (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $50K or more - a $12K spread from bottom to top.
Helpers--Production Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $46K | +22% | 280 |
| Iowa | $46K | +20% | 2,250 |
| North Dakota | $44K | +16% | 160 |
| Washington | $44K | +14% | 3,900 |
| Wisconsin | $44K | +14% | 4,300 |
| California | $44K | +14% | 18,450 |
| Alaska | $43K | +13% | 150 |
| Maryland | $43K | +12% | 1,620 |
| Hawaii | $43K | +12% | 200 |
| Minnesota | $42K | +11% | 3,040 |
| Montana | $42K | +10% | 190 |
| Maine | $42K | +10% | 550 |
| New York | $41K | +9% | 4,590 |
| Oregon | $41K | +8% | 2,760 |
| West Virginia | $40K | +6% | 650 |
Track helpers--production workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Waterloo-Cedar Falls numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do helpers--production workers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median is $48,830 a year - that works out to about $23.48 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,490, and experienced helpers--production workers can clear $49,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Waterloo-Cedar Falls?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,243/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,051/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 32.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a helpers--production workers salary go in Waterloo-Cedar Falls?
Waterloo-Cedar Falls has a Regional Price Parity of 87.06 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median helpers--production workers salary is worth about $56,088 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do helpers--production workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.