Project Management Specialist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Project Management Specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $81,600 a year ($39.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,730 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $102,320. Pay here is 15% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $96,540. There are 2.3 project management specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $88,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for project management specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,870 | $24.46 |
| 25th percentile | $64,190 | $30.86 |
| Median | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| 75th percentile | $107,470 | $51.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,730 | $62.85 |
| Average (mean) | $88,520 | $42.56 |
Half of project management specialists 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 | $6,800 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,400 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,138.46 |
| Weekly | $1,569.23 |
| Hourly | $39.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Project Management Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $104,690 | 290 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $102,880 | 650 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $101,150 | 2,640 |
| Ames, IA | $97,290 | 260 |
| Iowa City, IA | $96,820 | 420 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $93,760 | 850 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $85,130 | 200 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $82,460 | 1,670 |
Highest-paying states for project management specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $124,160 |
| New Jersey | $122,980 |
| Delaware | $122,190 |
| New York | $121,040 |
| California | $120,910 |
| Virginia | $120,840 |
| Massachusetts | $114,190 |
| Colorado | $110,050 |
| New Mexico | $106,970 |
| Oregon | $105,480 |
See Project Management Specialist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $51,320 | $24.68 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $69,960 | $33.64 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,330 | $35.25 |
| Compliance Officer | $73,200 | $35.19 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Management Analyst | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Cost Estimator | $77,070 | $37.05 |
| Logistician | $75,470 | $36.29 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,260 | $35.22 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,530 | $35.35 |
| Loan Officer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
More: Business and Financial Operations 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 13-1082. 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 project management specialist make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for project management specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $81,600 a year, or $39.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid project management specialists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of project management specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $130,730 a year. The top 25% earn $107,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for project management specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,870 a year, and a quarter of project management specialists earn $64,190 or less.
How many project management specialists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 190 project management specialists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.