Trades & Labor Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Machinist Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median machinist salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $43,006 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$43,006
vs State Avg
$-488
vs National
$-5,864
Cost of Living
88%

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

Cedar Rapids offers a median machinist salary of $43,006, which is $488 below the Iowa state average of $43,494. Compared to the national median of $48,870, 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 $43,006 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $48,870 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Cedar Rapids spans from $28,160 at the 10th percentile to $65,120 at the 90th percentile — a $36,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,920, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $63,360. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level machinist earns around $29,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $63,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,920
$-4,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$44,000
$-6,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$63,360
$-8,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $28,160
25th Percentile $34,320
Median (50th) $43,006
75th Percentile $53,680
90th Percentile $65,120

Machinist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$46,427
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$44,960
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$42,028
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$41,051
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Machinist in Cedar Rapids

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist 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 Machinist Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open machinist positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Machinist make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median machinist salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $43,006 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $28,160 (10th percentile) to $65,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $43,006, a machinist in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for machinist pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median machinist salary of $43,006 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $43,494. 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 machinist salary of $43,006 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most machinist positions in Cedar Rapids require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.