Agriculture & Environment Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median agricultural scientist salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $65,261 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$65,261
vs State Avg
$-741
vs National
$-8,899
Cost of Living
88%

Agricultural Scientist Pay in Cedar Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Cedar Rapids offers a median agricultural scientist salary of $65,261, which is $741 below the Iowa state average of $66,002. Compared to the national median of $74,160, Cedar Rapids pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cedar Rapids's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $65,261 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $74,160 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for agricultural scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for agricultural scientists in Cedar Rapids spans from $38,720 at the 10th percentile to $107,360 at the 90th percentile — a $68,640 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $42,240, while senior agricultural scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $101,200. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level agricultural scientist earns around $42,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $101,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,240
$-5,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$66,880
$-9,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$101,200
$-13,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $38,720
25th Percentile $49,280
Median (50th) $65,261
75th Percentile $86,240
90th Percentile $107,360

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$70,452
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$68,227
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$63,778
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$62,294
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Agricultural Scientist in Cedar Rapids

Education

Most agricultural scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AgronomyResearch MethodsData AnalysisSoil ScienceGeneticsScientific Writing

Job Outlook

Nationally, agricultural scientist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Agricultural Scientist Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open agricultural scientist positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Agricultural Scientist Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Agricultural Scientist make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median agricultural scientist salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $65,261 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $74,160. Salaries range from $38,720 (10th percentile) to $107,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Agricultural Scientist make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $65,261, a agricultural scientist in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for agricultural scientist pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median agricultural scientist salary of $65,261 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $66,002. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a agricultural scientist salary of $65,261 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a agricultural scientist in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most agricultural scientist positions in Cedar Rapids require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Agronomy, Research Methods, Data Analysis, Soil Science. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.