Average Computer User Support Specialists Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Computer User Support Specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA area earn an average annual salary of $58,850. This figure is slightly below the national average of $64,650, a common trend in regions with a lower cost of living. Local economic factors and industry demand within the specific metropolitan area play a significant role in shaping compensation for these essential IT roles.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $58,850 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 12.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $85,660.
- Outlook: The Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area supports a local workforce of 330 Computer User Support Specialists. With a Location Quotient of 0.86, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, suggesting a stable but not overly saturated market. The presence of nearly 4 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates consistent demand for skilled IT support professionals within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Computer User Support Specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA earns-9.0%below the national average.
$28.3
$1,132
$4,904
Computer User Support Specialists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Waterloo-Cedar Falls is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Computer User Support Specialists nationwide have seen a steady upward trend over the past four years. This growth is driven by increasing reliance on technology across all sectors and the continuous need for skilled IT support personnel to maintain and troubleshoot complex systems.
Computer User Support Specialists Salary Distribution in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Career progression for Computer User Support Specialists typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior specialists with extensive knowledge and problem-solving skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in salary distribution reflect these opportunities for advancement and increased earning potential as professionals gain expertise.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $37,710 | $18.1 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $44,138 | $21.2 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $58,320 | $28 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $73,563 | $35.4 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $85,660 | $41.2 |
Detailed Computer User Support Specialists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$58,850
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$58,850
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $58,850 in Waterloo-Cedar Falls aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Computer User Support Specialist's salary in this region is comparable to the national average. While the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the equivalent cost of living suggests that the take-home pay effectively stretches as far as it would in many other parts of the country.
Job Market Context
330
Total Jobs
3.881
Per 1K Jobs
0.86
Location Quotient
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA has 0.86x the national average concentration of Computer User Support Specialists jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.86 indicates that Computer User Support Specialists are slightly less concentrated in Waterloo-Cedar Falls compared to the national average. This suggests that while the demand exists, the market is not exceptionally competitive, potentially offering good opportunities for skilled individuals. The job market is reasonably robust, with a steady presence of these roles within the local economy.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Computer User Support Specialists
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA Computer User Support Specialists Salary | $58,660↓ 0% | 50 mi |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area Computer User Support Specialists Salary | $53,720↓ 9% | 55 mi |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area Computer User Support Specialists Salary | $51,980↓ 12% | 55 mi |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area Computer User Support Specialists Salary | $53,040↓ 10% | 55 mi |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area Computer User Support Specialists Salary | $50,070↓ 15% | 55 mi |
Comparing salaries near Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Computer User Support Specialists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median annual salary for a Computer User Support Specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $58,850. This typically ranges from $37,710 for entry-level positions to $85,660 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is 9.0% lower than the national median of $64,650.
Is Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA a lucrative place for Computer User Support Specialists?
No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $58,850 is below the national average of $64,650, though the cost of living is on par nationally. This means while your money may go further, the absolute earning potential is slightly lower.
Is Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA a good place to live for Computer User Support Specialists?
The Cost of Living Index in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Cedar Rapids, IA ($58,660) and Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area.
How does the Waterloo-Cedar Falls salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Computer User Support Specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is $58,850, which is lower than the national average of $64,650.
What is the Cost of Living in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The Cost of Living Index in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is 100, which is exactly the national average, indicating that the general cost of goods and services is comparable to the rest of the United States.
How many Computer User Support Specialists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls?
There are approximately 330 Computer User Support Specialists employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area.
Is there high demand for IT support roles in Waterloo-Cedar Falls?
With 3.881 jobs per 1,000 workers, there is a consistent demand for Computer User Support Specialists in the region, though the concentration (Location Quotient) is slightly below the national average.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 330 employees in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA area with a job density of 3.881 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Computer User Support Specialists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA