Healthcare Social Worker salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Healthcare Social Workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $61,980 a year ($29.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,810 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $67,880. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $63,050. There are 1.2 healthcare social workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for healthcare social workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| 25th percentile | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Median | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| 75th percentile | $70,760 | $34.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Average (mean) | $64,590 | $31.05 |
Half of healthcare social workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,165 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,582.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,383.85 |
| Weekly | $1,191.92 |
| Hourly | $29.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Healthcare Social Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $67,820 | 160 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $65,450 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,360 | 510 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,400 | 130 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,360 | 400 |
| Dubuque, IA | $62,240 | 60 |
| Ames, IA | $61,760 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,920 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for healthcare social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,100 |
| California | $89,660 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 |
| Oregon | $84,350 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 |
| Vermont | $81,140 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 |
| Washington | $78,570 |
| Nevada | $78,470 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 |
See Healthcare Social Worker pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $53,220 | $25.59 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,530 | $27.18 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $90,230 | $43.38 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $42,880 | $20.62 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $60,160 | $28.92 |
| Community Health Worker | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Clergy | $60,170 | $28.93 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a healthcare social worker make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for healthcare social workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $61,980 a year, or $29.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid healthcare social workers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of healthcare social workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $80,810 a year. The top 25% earn $70,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for healthcare social workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,030 a year, and a quarter of healthcare social workers earn $57,600 or less.
How many healthcare social workers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 100 healthcare social workers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.