Job Salary Guide · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary After Tax in Waterloo
Based on BLS OEWS data · IA · Single filer
Registered Nurse Salary Range
25th Percentile
$68,000
Take-home:
$53,640
$4,470/mo
Entry to mid-level
Median
$82,000
Take-home:
$62,957
$5,246/mo
Typical salary
75th Percentile
$98,000
Take-home:
$73,605
$6,134/mo
Senior / specialist
Tax Breakdown
At median salary of $82,000
Cost of Living in Waterloo
1BR Monthly Rent
$880/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$1,100/mo
COL Index
0.82
Comfortable Rent Max
$1,311/mo
50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner
Based on your monthly take-home of $5,246 ($62,952/yr)
$2,623
per month
- ›Rent / mortgage
- ›Groceries
- ›Utilities
- ›Insurance
- ›Minimum debt payments
- ›Transportation
$1,574
per month
- ›Dining out
- ›Streaming services
- ›Gym
- ›Hobbies
- ›Travel
- ›Shopping
$1,049
per month
- ›Emergency fund
- ›401(k) / IRA
- ›Investments
- ›Down payment fund
- ›Debt payoff (extra)
Needs / year
$31,476
Wants / year
$18,886
Savings / year
$12,590
Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Waterloo?
The median Registered Nurse salary in Waterloo (IA) is $82,000 per year based on BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $68,000 and the 75th percentile is $98,000.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Waterloo?
At the median salary of $82,000, a Registered Nurse in IA takes home approximately $62,957 per year ($5,246/month) after federal and state taxes. The effective tax rate is 23.22%.
Can a Registered Nurse afford rent in Waterloo?
The average 1-bedroom rent in Waterloo is $880/month. On the median Registered Nurse salary, your rent-to-income ratio is 16.8%, which is "Comfortable". Financial experts recommend keeping rent below 25–30% of take-home pay ($1,311/month at this salary).
How does cost of living affect Registered Nurse salaries in Waterloo?
Waterloo has a cost-of-living index of 0.82 (1.00 = national average). Waterloo is 18% cheaper than the US average, so the Registered Nurse salary goes further here than in high-cost metros.