Legal Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Judge Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median judge salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $130,266 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$130,266
vs State Avg
$-1,481
vs National
$-17,764
Cost of Living
88%

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

Cedar Rapids offers a median judge salary of $130,266, which is $1,481 below the Iowa state average of $131,747. Compared to the national median of $148,030, 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 $130,266 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $148,030 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for judges seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for judges in Cedar Rapids spans from $51,040 at the 10th percentile to $202,400 at the 90th percentile — a $151,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,200, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $189,200. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Judge Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level judge earns around $57,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $189,200 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)
$132,000
$-18,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$189,200
$-25,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $51,040
25th Percentile $79,200
Median (50th) $130,266
75th Percentile $171,600
90th Percentile $202,400

Judge Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$140,629
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$136,188
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$127,306
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$124,345
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Judge in Cedar Rapids

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal InterpretationJudicial ReasoningCourt ProceduresImpartialityLegal WritingCase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, judge employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open judge positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Judge make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median judge salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $130,266 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $51,040 (10th percentile) to $202,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $130,266, a judge in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $63 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for judge pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median judge salary of $130,266 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $131,747. 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 judge salary of $130,266 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most judge positions in Cedar Rapids require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Legal Interpretation, Judicial Reasoning, Court Procedures, Impartiality. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.