Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $60,440 a year, based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,800 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $72,040. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $61,200. There are 7.8 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,520 |
| 25th percentile | $49,270 |
| Median | $60,440 |
| 75th percentile | $73,310 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,800 |
| Average (mean) | $61,260 |
Half of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education 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 | $5,036.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,518.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,324.62 |
| Weekly | $1,162.31 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,900 | 3,540 |
| Ames, IA | $63,450 | 310 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,480 | 2,660 |
| Iowa City, IA | $62,100 | 590 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,960 | 1,170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,780 | 1,280 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,510 | 460 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,200 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,670 |
| California | $101,370 |
| New York | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 |
| New Jersey | $82,200 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 |
| Illinois | $79,990 |
| Alaska | $79,650 |
See Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,780 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,460 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $59,500 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $59,760 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,530 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,900 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $103,680 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $100,240 | — |
| Library Technician | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,920 | $33.61 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library 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 25-2031. 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 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $60,440 a year. Pay ranges from $47,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $77,800 a year. The top 25% earn $73,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,520 a year, and a quarter of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education earn $49,270 or less.
How many secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 660 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.