Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is 130.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Waterloo-Cedar Falls earn an average of $53,280 per year or $25.62 per hour.
  • The percentage of Iowa Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is 4%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is less than 1%.

Rankings for Waterloo-Cedar Falls

  • Ranks #4 in Iowa for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #10 in Iowa for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #163 in the nation for salary and #284 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #389 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Iowa

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $53,280 or $25.62 per hour which is 3% more than the Iowa average salary of $51,570.

AverageWaterloo-Cedar FallsIowa% Difference
Hourly Wage$25.62$24.803.31%
Annual Salary$53,280$51,5703.32%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $53,280 or $25.62 per hour which is 0% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageWaterloo-Cedar FallsU.S.%
Hourly Wage$25.62$25.72-0.39%
Annual Salary$53,280$53,490-0.39%
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, Substance Abuse Counselors in Waterloo-Cedar Falls earns an average annual salary of $57,995 which compares to the Iowa average annual salary of $51,570. 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 $51,570.
  • Iowa cost-of-living adjusted salary is $56,639.
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls average salary is $53,280.
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls cost-of-living adjusted salary is $57,995.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Waterloo-Cedar Falls$53,28091.87%$57,995
Iowa$51,57091.05%$56,639
U.S.$53,490$53,490
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 Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $37,870 and $61,040 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn more than $76,670, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

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

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year13Under $30,640
15%2 – 4 years20$30,640 – $37,870
25%5 – 9 years32$37,870 – $48,670
25%10 – 14 years32$48,670 – $61,040
15%15 – 20 years20$48,670 – $76,670
10%20+ years13Above $76,670
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 $53,280, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Health Care Social Workers ($56,710).

However, Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn more than Social Workers ($48,680).

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 Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is 130.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $53,280 per year or $25.62 per hour in Waterloo-Cedar Falls.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Waterloo-Cedar Falls Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $57,995 per year or $28 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 Substance Abuse Counselors in Iowa cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Substance Abuse Counselors: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data