Engineering Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Civil Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median civil engineer salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$79,147
vs State Avg
$-900
vs National
$-10,793
Cost of Living
88%

Civil Engineer Pay in Cedar Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Cedar Rapids offers a median civil engineer salary of $79,147, which is $900 below the Iowa state average of $80,047. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 $79,147 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Cedar Rapids spans from $53,152 at the 10th percentile to $121,968 at the 90th percentile — a $68,816 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,400. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $54,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $53,152
25th Percentile $64,416
Median (50th) $79,147
75th Percentile $100,320
90th Percentile $121,968

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$85,443
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$82,745
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$77,348
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$75,550
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Cedar Rapids

Education

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

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open civil engineer positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $53,152 (10th percentile) to $121,968 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,147, a civil engineer in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median civil engineer salary of $79,147 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $80,047. 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 civil engineer salary of $79,147 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Cedar Rapids require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.