Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is 100.
  • Social Workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls earn an average of $48,680 per year or $23.41 per hour.
  • The percentage of Iowa Social Workers who work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is 5%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is less than 1%.

Rankings for Waterloo-Cedar Falls

  • Ranks #8 in Iowa for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #7 in Iowa for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #245 in the nation for salary and #284 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #439 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Iowa

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Social Workers earn an average of $48,680 or $23.41 per hour which is 3% less than the Iowa average salary of $50,380.

AverageWaterloo-Cedar FallsIowa% Difference
Hourly Wage$23.41$24.22-3.34%
Annual Salary$48,680$50,380-3.37%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Social Workers earn an average of $48,680 or $23.41 per hour which is 11% less than the U.S. average salary of $54,880.

AverageWaterloo-Cedar FallsU.S.%
Hourly Wage$23.41$26.39-11.29%
Annual Salary$48,680$54,880-11.30%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls earns an average annual salary of $52,988 which compares to the Iowa average annual salary of $50,380. per year.

Cost-of-living in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is 8% less than the Iowa average, which means Waterloo-Cedar Falls residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Iowa average.

  • Iowa average salary is $50,380.
  • Iowa cost-of-living adjusted salary is $55,332.
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls average salary is $48,680.
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls cost-of-living adjusted salary is $52,988.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Waterloo-Cedar Falls$48,68091.87%$52,988
Iowa$50,38091.05%$55,332
U.S.$54,880$54,880
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 50% of Social Workers earn between $36,770 and $62,630 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $79,020, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $30,640, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year10Under $30,640
15%2 – 4 years15$30,640 – $36,770
25%5 – 9 years25$36,770 – $45,400
25%10 – 14 years25$45,400 – $62,630
15%15 – 20 years15$45,400 – $79,020
10%20+ years10Above $79,020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $48,680, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Social Workers tend to earn less than Health Care Social Workers ($56,710), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($53,280).

TitleAnnual Salary
Health Care Social Workers$56,710
Substance Abuse Counselors$53,280
Social Workers$48,680
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Waterloo-Cedar Falls Social Workers

The number of Social Workers currently employed in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is 100.

Social Workers earn an average of $48,680 per year or $23.41 per hour in Waterloo-Cedar Falls.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Waterloo-Cedar Falls Social Workers earn an average of $52,988 per year or $25 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls are Health Care Social Workers($56,710), Substance Abuse Counselors($53,280), Social Workers($48,680).


Additional Salary Reports for Social Workers in Iowa cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Social Workers: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data