Retail Salesperson salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Retail Salespersons in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $31,270 a year ($15.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,890 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $31,360. There are 29 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,380 | $12.68 |
| 25th percentile | $28,450 | $13.68 |
| Median | $31,270 | $15.04 |
| 75th percentile | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Average (mean) | $34,440 | $16.56 |
Half of retail salespersons 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 | $2,605.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,302.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,202.69 |
| Weekly | $601.35 |
| Hourly | $15.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Retail Salesperson salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $33,430 | 3,410 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,430 | 11,000 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $33,260 | 12,080 |
| Ames, IA | $32,460 | 1,460 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,030 | 4,760 |
| Dubuque, IA | $30,960 | 1,810 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,150 | 2,220 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,940 | 2,710 |
Highest-paying states for retail salespersons
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $39,560 |
| District of Columbia | $38,500 |
| California | $38,440 |
| Colorado | $37,950 |
| Hawaii | $37,790 |
| New York | $37,720 |
| Vermont | $37,400 |
| Alaska | $37,290 |
| Oregon | $36,770 |
| Maine | $36,640 |
See Retail Salesperson pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $29,320 | $14.10 |
| Parts Salesperson | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $67,040 | $32.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $61,860 | $29.74 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $76,910 | $36.98 |
| Telemarketer | $28,840 | $13.86 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $30,730 | $14.78 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $104,530 | $50.26 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Travel Agent | $39,780 | $19.13 |
More: Sales and Related 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 41-2031. 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 retail salesperson make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $31,270 a year, or $15.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $45,890 a year. The top 25% earn $36,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,380 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $28,450 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 2,460 retail salespersons are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.