Engineering Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Environmental Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median environmental engineer salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $85,202 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$85,202
vs State Avg
$-968
vs National
$-11,618
Cost of Living
88%

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

Cedar Rapids offers a median environmental engineer salary of $85,202, which is $968 below the Iowa state average of $86,170. Compared to the national median of $96,820, 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 $85,202 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,820 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for environmental engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for environmental engineers in Cedar Rapids spans from $53,680 at the 10th percentile to $130,240 at the 90th percentile — a $76,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $56,320, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,960. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $56,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,320
$-7,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,240
$-11,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,960
$-17,040 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $53,680
25th Percentile $66,880
Median (50th) $85,202
75th Percentile $107,360
90th Percentile $130,240

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$91,979
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$89,074
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$83,265
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$81,329
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Cedar Rapids

Education

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

Key Skills

Environmental RemediationWater TreatmentAir QualityEPA RegulationsGISProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, environmental engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Environmental Engineer Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $85,202 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $53,680 (10th percentile) to $130,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,202, a environmental engineer in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median environmental engineer salary of $85,202 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $86,170. 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 environmental engineer salary of $85,202 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Cedar Rapids require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, Air Quality, EPA Regulations. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.