Chief Executive salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Chief Executives in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $199,010 a year ($95.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $380,670 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $213,990. Pay here is 6% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $211,190. There are 1.3 chief executives per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $222,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chief executives in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,450 | $36.75 |
| 25th percentile | $116,870 | $56.19 |
| Median | $199,010 | $95.68 |
| 75th percentile | $268,270 | $128.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $380,670 | $183.02 |
| Average (mean) | $222,780 | $107.11 |
Half of chief executives 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 | $16,584.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,292.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,654.23 |
| Weekly | $3,827.12 |
| Hourly | $95.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chief Executive salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $290,870 | 1,230 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $228,220 | 1,330 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $220,590 | 130 |
| Dubuque, IA | $212,880 | 100 |
| Ames, IA | $206,090 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $205,340 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $205,030 | 200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $182,210 | 290 |
Highest-paying states for chief executives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 |
| Washington | $339,810 |
| Illinois | $331,920 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 |
| Virginia | $310,740 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 |
| New York | $257,980 |
See Chief Executive pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $82,400 | $39.62 |
| Financial Manager | $125,690 | $60.43 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $103,330 | $49.68 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $85,060 | $40.90 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $103,180 | — |
| Managers, All Other | $99,530 | $47.85 |
| Sales Manager | $125,050 | $60.12 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $91,250 | $43.87 |
| Facilities Manager | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $132,210 | $63.56 |
| Construction Manager | $92,100 | $44.28 |
| Food Service Manager | $63,650 | $30.60 |
More: Management 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 11-1011. 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 chief executive make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for chief executives in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $199,010 a year, or $95.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $380,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chief executives make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of chief executives in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $380,670 a year. The top 25% earn $268,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for chief executives in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,450 a year, and a quarter of chief executives earn $116,870 or less.
How many chief executives work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 110 chief executives are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.