Business & Finance Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Economist Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median economist salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$100,267
vs State Avg
$-1,140
vs National
$-13,673
Cost of Living
88%

Economist Pay in Cedar Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Cedar Rapids offers a median economist salary of $100,267, which is $1,140 below the Iowa state average of $101,407. Compared to the national median of $113,940, 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 $100,267 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Cedar Rapids spans from $54,560 at the 10th percentile to $174,240 at the 90th percentile — a $119,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,200, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $162,800. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Economist Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level economist earns around $57,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $162,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,200
$-7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$101,200
$-13,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$162,800
$-22,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $54,560
25th Percentile $72,160
Median (50th) $100,267
75th Percentile $136,400
90th Percentile $174,240

Economist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$108,243
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$104,825
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$97,988
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$95,710
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Economist in Cedar Rapids

Education

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

Key Skills

EconometricsStatistical AnalysisR/PythonEconomic ModelingResearch MethodsPolicy Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, economist 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 Economist Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open economist positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Economist make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median economist salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $54,560 (10th percentile) to $174,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $100,267, a economist in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $48 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for economist pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median economist salary of $100,267 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $101,407. 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 economist salary of $100,267 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most economist positions in Cedar Rapids require a master's degree. Key skills include Econometrics, Statistical Analysis, R/Python, Economic Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.