Career Atlas USA

Careers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Part of Iowa.

Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA’s regional price level is below the national average (index 87.057, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 4.2% · 82,251 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

See full list →
  1. 1Physicians, All Other$295,200
  2. 2Family Medicine Physicians$287,990
  3. 3Chief Executives$199,010
  4. 4Dentists, General$163,600
  5. 5Architectural and Engineering Managers$140,340

Largest Occupations

See full list →
  1. 1Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand2,920 employed
  2. 2Fast Food and Counter Workers2,500 employed
  3. 3Retail Salespersons2,460 employed
  4. 4Cashiers2,340 employed
  5. 5Registered Nurses1,890 employed

Highest Concentration

See full list →
  1. 1Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders12.23× national avg
  2. 2Foundry Mold and Coremakers10.98× national avg
  3. 3Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders8.30× national avg
  4. 4Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators7.79× national avg
  5. 5Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters6.54× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

See full list →

cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Physicians, All Other$339,088
  2. 2Family Medicine Physicians$330,806
  3. 3Chief Executives$228,597
  4. 4Dentists, General$187,923
  5. 5Architectural and Engineering Managers$161,205

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see Iowa state page.