City Town Info

Waterloo Employment

Employment and Industries in the Waterloo, Iowa Area

Waterloo is a center for agriculture and agri-based manufacturing companies. Waterloo includes meat packing plants and tractor and farm equipment manufacturing facilities. Waterloo's top employment sectors include healthcare, education, manufacturing, finance and insurance, social assistance and food.

About 25% of the labor force is found in sales and office jobs. About 23% of the employees in Waterloo work in production, transportation and material moving occupations. Approximately 21% of the workforce is found in management, professional and related occupations. The city also has numerous metal and plastic workers.

The Cedar Valley Tech Works project has been designed to create a prominent bio-product cluster for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls region. The development of a central campus which connects manufacturers, producers, consumers and students has an objective of creating more jobs for the region and creating new biotechnology companies.

Some of the more popular jobs filled by those with a college degree are registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives; child, family and school social workers; industrial engineers, medical and health services managers; advertising sales agents and financial managers.

The following is a list of the largest employers in Waterloo Iowa:

  • John Deere Waterloo Operations
  • Covenant Medical Center
  • Tyson Fresh Meats
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • Allen Memorial Hospital
  • Waterloo Community Schools
  • Bertch Cabinet Manufacturing
  • Omega Cabinet Ltd
  • HyVee Food Stores
  • Walmart
  • Hawkeye Community College
  • GMAC Mortgage
  • Area 267 Education Agency
  • Black Hawk County
  • Target Regional Distribution Center
  • The CBE Group Inc
  • City of Waterloo
  • Viking Pump
  • Cedar Valley Medical Specialists
  • Martin Brothers Distributing
  • Western Home Communities
  • Van G. Miller & Associates, Inc

Notable information about Waterloo Iowa: In 2008 the cost of living index was at 78.3. Regarding the adult population in Waterloo, approximately 19% have earned a bachelor's degree or better. In 2009 the average salary in Waterloo was $31,000.

Waterloo companies have opportunities to collaborate with helpful organizations such as:

WCFcourier.com is a good resource for those seeking to keep current with local business and industry news.

Most Popular Jobs in Waterloo, Iowa Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,89049,300$35,010 - 64,31024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education1,09039,860$24,890 - 53,55014%95%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products96051,720$23,320 - 81,5008%51%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education50040,490$24,630 - 60,1906%96%
5Accountants and auditors43052,640$32,140 - 75,72018%79%
6Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education41041,070$22,580 - 59,86011%95%
7Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school40044,210$29,790 - 59,89020%87%
8Child, family, and school social workers39032,870$19,280 - 57,64019%77%
9Industrial engineers32059,170$45,240 - 76,44020%74%
10Social and human service assistants29020,690$15,520 - 26,08034%58%
11Legislators25027,160$15,650 - 33,0201%65%
12Medical and health services managers25069,580$42,890 - 99,07016%57%
13Advertising sales agents23050,520$18,490 - 101,20020%56%
14Special education teachers, secondary school23042,380$30,390 - 54,6509%87%
15Social and community service managers20042,920$28,080 - 69,46025%72%
16Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products20070,500$34,170 - 119,06012%51%
17Financial managers20088,990$42,650 - 153,59013%60%
18Coaches and scouts19029,500$15,330 - 51,80015%60%
19Mechanical engineers19060,260$40,740 - 82,0904%78%
20Speech-language pathologists18050,960$35,210 - 63,72011%98%
21Chief executives160138,550$76,910 - 2%65%
22Managers, all other15074,990$32,810 - 123,6107%55%
23Lawyers15070,560$45,070 - 114,78011%99%
24Pharmacists15093,740$73,720 - 119,80022%97%
25Computer programmers14059,180$36,170 - 89,8800%73%
26Training and development specialists13040,540$23,700 - 61,53018%56%
27Medical and clinical laboratory technicians13034,150$23,550 - 47,67015%51%
28Mental health and substance abuse social workers12039,050$25,500 - 58,78030%77%
29Graphic designers12036,820$20,330 - 54,82010%55%
30Rehabilitation counselors11034,530$19,420 - 50,11023%73%
31Community and social service specialists, all other11026,480$17,910 - 35,90025%58%
32Education administrators, elementary and secondary school11074,830$51,920 - 99,7708%78%
33Network and computer systems administrators11052,980$39,300 - 74,17027%50%
34Sales managers11087,180$44,220 - 125,45010%69%
35Physical therapists11063,410$43,340 - 85,55027%89%
36Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other10046,320$33,640 - 67,88017%56%
37Computer systems analysts10057,720$37,240 - 81,42029%68%
38Market research analysts10042,530$24,540 - 64,23020%82%
39Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists9039,400$23,980 - 54,88018%56%
40Medical and clinical laboratory technologists9050,600$36,740 - 64,16012%51%
41Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents9058,360$29,310 - 100,24025%67%
42Education administrators, postsecondary9084,240$35,830 - 139,17014%78%
43Management analysts9066,810$30,610 - 97,46022%78%
44Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation8048,610$29,290 - 77,1805%58%
45Public relations specialists8041,480$27,890 - 61,03018%81%
46Educational, vocational, and school counselors8043,300$28,160 - 61,16013%73%
47Marketing managers7088,090$45,850 - 132,78014%69%
48Floral designers7023,340$18,250 - 30,3500%55%
49Engineering managers7088,190$62,420 - 107,4407%84%
50Personal financial advisors7056,170$30,140 - 88,90041%81%
51Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists6047,270$27,270 - 64,33018%56%
52Librarians6053,110$39,030 - 70,2104%85%
53Commercial and industrial designers6035,920$22,840 - 54,4707%55%
54Computer software engineers, applications6050,440$41,030 - 64,04045%85%
55Surveyors5039,280$17,890 - 59,87024%82%
56Occupational therapists5057,150$39,360 - 76,18023%90%
57Insurance underwriters5073,800$37,600 - 119,5406%53%
58Editors5033,580$17,020 - 50,2702%81%
59Medical and public health social workers5040,780$27,480 - 52,15024%77%
60Computer and information systems managers5081,570$51,700 - 114,41016%73%
61Vocational education teachers, secondary school4038,150$25,180 - 49,2000%96%
62Health educators4034,840$22,930 - 51,50026%58%
63Civil engineers4059,130$45,630 - 79,12018%87%
64Recreational therapists4029,860$18,730 - 43,0604%77%
65Physician assistants4085,800$57,180 - 111,40027%67%
66Education administrators, all other4091,010$53,820 - 136,15013%78%
67Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program3028,830$20,630 - 39,62024%78%
68Network systems and data communications analysts3056,030$34,660 - 80,90053%57%
69Database administrators3065,120$40,400 - 91,20029%72%
70Occupational health and safety specialists3043,640$27,730 - 63,1008%72%
71Purchasing managers3071,710$50,060 - 101,1803%57%
72Veterinarians30102,430$60,930 - 156,57035%100%
73Financial specialists, all other3040,880$27,270 - 63,59012%50%
74Dentists, general30163,160$98,790 - 9%100%
75Human resources managers, all other3070,510$53,880 - 100,18011%58%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons3,39021,520$15,360 - 31,61012%25%
2Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,47016,750$15,220 - 19,63018%5%
3Cashiers2,19018,010$15,320 - 23,030-2%10%
4Office clerks, general1,84025,070$16,120 - 35,85013%19%
5Customer service representatives1,80028,610$17,530 - 40,88025%22%
6Waiters and waitresses1,61017,020$15,190 - 21,64011%14%
7Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,56022,820$15,900 - 32,30015%4%
8Industrial truck and tractor operators1,56029,120$22,720 - 37,000-1%2%
9Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,38032,760$20,930 - 50,25010%4%
10Teacher assistants1,28016,580$15,160 - 19,62010%18%
11Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,22022,860$17,930 - 29,13018%7%
12Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,18029,720$16,400 - 42,80013%16%
13Stock clerks and order fillers1,14020,550$15,500 - 29,120-7%8%
14Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters1,03023,870$17,500 - 31,5903%4%
15Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,01026,850$17,120 - 40,5501%18%
16Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand96024,330$15,800 - 32,4202%5%
17First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers84038,330$21,480 - 56,7304%25%
18Home health aides83021,220$17,330 - 25,98049%7%
19Maintenance and repair workers, general83033,770$21,290 - 49,14010%6%
20Cooks, restaurant83019,030$15,670 - 24,49012%5%
21Machinists82034,330$22,670 - 48,020-2%3%
22Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers76033,350$24,370 - 41,3305%2%
23Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers750 11%2%
24Receptionists and information clerks71024,160$16,260 - 31,11017%13%
25Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers67041,060$22,940 - 57,160-6%14%
26Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses67034,060$27,490 - 41,73014%7%
27Industrial machinery mechanics62044,610$33,340 - 57,3209%5%
28Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood61026,540$19,260 - 31,6804%0%
29Bartenders60016,890$15,200 - 20,74011%17%
30First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers60050,040$28,140 - 68,460-4%15%
31Child care workers59016,480$15,210 - 19,08018%15%
32Executive secretaries and administrative assistants56035,260$23,000 - 48,58015%18%
33Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic55032,440$25,630 - 47,0700%3%
34First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers54025,600$17,080 - 38,83011%14%
35Construction laborers53028,900$21,820 - 37,97011%5%
36First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers52045,800$24,700 - 65,4006%29%
37Maids and housekeeping cleaners51020,860$16,220 - 27,57013%5%
38Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators47042,320$32,550 - 52,3408%3%
39General and operations managers47094,270$48,590 - 2%48%
40Automotive service technicians and mechanics45030,850$18,360 - 46,36014%4%
41Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks45027,810$18,040 - 41,3504%6%
42Tellers43022,670$16,820 - 29,49014%16%
43Carpenters43029,550$20,670 - 39,48010%6%
44Cooks, institution and cafeteria42021,710$15,620 - 29,19011%5%
45Truck drivers, light or delivery services39030,140$16,980 - 56,7208%4%
46Packers and packagers, hand39024,160$16,420 - 31,090-11%3%
47Production workers, all other36027,680$17,410 - 39,8902%5%
48Business operations specialists, all other36044,810$26,560 - 66,30021%49%
49Electricians35044,310$29,120 - 59,4607%7%
50Landscaping and groundskeeping workers35023,700$17,160 - 32,03018%6%
51Police and sheriff's patrol officers34045,380$34,330 - 58,98011%33%
52Personal and home care aides33021,830$17,050 - 29,07051%10%
53Food preparation workers33018,140$15,370 - 22,88015%7%
54Dishwashers33017,470$15,310 - 21,44010%3%
55Bus drivers, school330 9%4%
56Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers32017,510$15,200 - 20,45012%6%
57Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders32027,890$21,430 - 40,510-12%4%
58Helpers--production workers30026,660$16,940 - 36,3900%4%
59Billing and posting clerks and machine operators30030,380$22,790 - 39,7504%15%
60Loan officers30052,590$29,360 - 83,53012%49%
61Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters27041,940$24,620 - 67,00011%4%
62Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists26035,090$23,720 - 48,95012%3%
63Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic26025,570$15,530 - 39,640-14%0%
64Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop26017,040$15,350 - 19,69010%8%
65Computer support specialists25037,610$24,080 - 54,04013%43%
66Production, planning, and expediting clerks24033,690$15,580 - 59,9904%30%
67Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic23033,700$26,960 - 40,560-2%6%
68Security guards23027,010$16,750 - 40,45017%13%
69Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists23021,700$15,980 - 29,37012%6%
70First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers23053,030$35,660 - 81,4209%10%
71Medical assistants22030,670$23,090 - 39,50035%10%
72Medical secretaries22025,820$17,520 - 36,48017%18%
73Laundry and dry-cleaning workers21018,820$15,440 - 24,15010%5%
74Loan interviewers and clerks21028,390$17,380 - 46,5500%24%
75Parts salespersons21032,660$17,820 - 48,690-1%6%
76Recreation workers21020,050$15,260 - 29,01013%47%
77Assemblers and fabricators, all other21025,930$20,990 - 33,090-8%5%
78Postal service mail carriers210 1%11%
79Tool and die makers21045,200$33,140 - 58,800-9%5%
80Dental assistants20033,340$26,920 - 44,25029%9%
81Preschool teachers, except special education20026,590$16,780 - 43,58026%43%
82Cleaners of vehicles and equipment20021,620$15,360 - 30,63014%3%
83First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers19058,820$32,400 - 91,5007%13%
84Counter and rental clerks19019,920$15,400 - 30,46023%16%
85Pharmacy technicians19025,360$17,320 - 33,59032%16%
86Radiologic technologists and technicians18046,150$33,180 - 65,67015%25%
87Sales representatives, services, all other18059,280$28,340 - 113,21028%48%
88Administrative services managers18073,850$38,040 - 119,32012%40%
89Medical records and health information technicians17028,730$20,820 - 40,64018%12%
90Automotive body and related repairers17033,340$21,360 - 47,24012%3%
91Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop17016,970$15,270 - 20,00010%17%
92Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers17034,520$23,970 - 50,1509%3%
93Healthcare support workers, all other15027,340$21,860 - 35,52016%10%
94Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders15028,950$21,360 - 38,780-4%5%
95Taxi drivers and chauffeurs15019,250$15,520 - 24,12013%15%
96Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks15017,690$15,350 - 21,67017%14%
97First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers15094,850$42,350 - 4%38%
98Butchers and meat cutters14025,230$16,560 - 35,4702%2%
99Medical transcriptionists14032,360$22,350 - 41,70014%10%
100Postsecondary teachers, all other13032,010$18,510 - 39,9500%0%
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Jobs More Common Near Waterloo Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood26,54061045.9
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers 75019.3
Agricultural equipment operators24,83011018.8
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters23,8701,03016.7
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic32,44055013.6
Legislators27,1602509.7
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders27,8903206.5
Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders36,3201005
Tool and die makers45,2002104.8
Industrial truck and tractor operators29,1201,5604.5
Industrial machinery mechanics44,6106204.2
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers33,3507603.8
Machinists34,3308203.6
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators37,7801003.6
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school44,2104003.3
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic33,7002303.3
Medical transcriptionists32,3601403
Special education teachers, secondary school42,3802303
Social and community service managers42,9202002.9
Speech-language pathologists50,9601802.9
Health technologists and technicians, all other38,0501102.8
Production workers, all other27,6803602.8
Industrial engineers59,1703202.7
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers41,0606702.6
Child, family, and school social workers32,8703902.5
Highway maintenance workers35,7701302.5
Advertising sales agents50,5202302.3
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators42,3204702.3
Cooks, institution and cafeteria21,7104202.2
Family and general practitioners146,0201202.2
Butchers and meat cutters25,2301402.1
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic25,5702602.1
Bartenders16,8906002
Rehabilitation counselors34,5301102
Library technicians26,4601202
Automotive body and related repairers33,3401702
Coaches and scouts29,5001902
Community and social service specialists, all other26,4801101.9
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists35,0902601.9
Teacher assistants16,5801,2801.8
Medical records and health information technicians28,7301701.7
Mental health and substance abuse social workers39,0501201.7
Child care workers16,4805901.7
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers18,8202101.7
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses34,0606701.7
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers50,0406001.7
Parts salespersons32,6602101.7
Home health aides21,2208301.6
Loan interviewers and clerks28,3902101.6
Medical and health services managers69,5802501.6

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Waterloo, Iowa Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers94,8501.36150
Insurance sales agents72,4101.29110
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers41,0601.23670
Packers and packagers, hand24,1601.18390
Sales representatives, services, all other59,2801.14180
Helpers--production workers26,6601.13300
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders28,9501.11150
Personal and home care aides21,8301.09330
Medical assistants30,6701.09220
Maids and housekeeping cleaners20,8601.09510
Advertising sales agents50,5201.08230
Parts salespersons32,6601.07210
Security guards27,0101.07230
Preschool teachers, except special education26,5901.04200
Truck drivers, light or delivery services30,1401.04390
Dental assistants33,3401.03200
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers58,8201.03190
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment21,6201.03200
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic32,4401.03550
Highway maintenance workers35,7701.02130
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers45,8001.02520
Dishwashers17,4701.01330
Administrative services managers73,8501.01180
Receptionists and information clerks24,1601.01710
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand24,3301.01960
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers17,5101.01320
Medical transcriptionists32,3601140
Industrial machinery mechanics44,6101620
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators30,3801300
Cost estimators56,0001120
Home health aides21,2201830
Agricultural equipment operators24,8301110
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners22,82011,560
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood26,5401610
Tool and die makers45,2001210
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers38,3300.99840
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators42,3200.99470
Office clerks, general25,0700.991,840
Maintenance and repair workers, general33,7700.98830
Mental health and substance abuse social workers39,0500.98120
Assemblers and fabricators, all other25,9300.98210
General and operations managers94,2700.98470
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers23,7000.98350
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks27,8100.98450
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food16,7500.972,470
Cashiers18,0100.972,190
Industrial truck and tractor operators29,1200.971,560
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic33,7000.97230
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products70,5000.97200
Customer service representatives28,6100.961,800

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