Baker salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Bakers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $29,870 a year ($14.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,830 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $37,160. Pay here is 20% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $37,210. There are 1.5 bakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bakers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,940 | $10.55 |
| 25th percentile | $24,290 | $11.68 |
| Median | $29,870 | $14.36 |
| 75th percentile | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Average (mean) | $32,780 | $15.76 |
Half of bakers 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 | $2,489.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,244.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,148.85 |
| Weekly | $574.42 |
| Hourly | $14.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Baker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $41,160 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37,680 | 700 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,390 | 130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $37,140 | 150 |
| Ames, IA | $36,520 | 90 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,430 | 570 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $34,210 | 250 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,460 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for bakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $46,710 |
| Washington | $46,140 |
| District of Columbia | $44,040 |
| California | $43,120 |
| Colorado | $40,650 |
| Minnesota | $40,210 |
| Wyoming | $40,000 |
| Vermont | $39,980 |
| Alaska | $39,710 |
| Nevada | $39,540 |
See Baker pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Food Batchmaker | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,250 | $24.64 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Machinist | $58,100 | $27.93 |
More: Production 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 51-3011. 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 baker make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for bakers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $29,870 a year, or $14.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bakers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of bakers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $45,830 a year. The top 25% earn $38,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for bakers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,940 a year, and a quarter of bakers earn $24,290 or less.
How many bakers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 120 bakers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.