Healthcare Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Medical Assistant Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median medical assistant salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $33,678 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$33,678
vs State Avg
$-382
vs National
$-4,592
Cost of Living
88%

Medical Assistant Pay in Cedar Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Cedar Rapids offers a median medical assistant salary of $33,678, which is $382 below the Iowa state average of $34,060. Compared to the national median of $38,270, 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 $33,678 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $38,270 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for medical assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for medical assistants in Cedar Rapids spans from $25,872 at the 10th percentile to $45,760 at the 90th percentile — a $19,888 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $26,400, while senior medical assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $42,240. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Medical Assistant Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level medical assistant earns around $26,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $42,240 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$26,400
$-3,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$33,440
$-4,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$42,240
$-5,760 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $25,872
25th Percentile $29,216
Median (50th) $33,678
75th Percentile $39,424
90th Percentile $45,760

Medical Assistant Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$36,357
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$35,208
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$32,912
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$32,147
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Cedar Rapids

Education

Most medical assistant positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Vital SignsPatient PrepMedical TerminologyEMR SystemsPhlebotomyScheduling

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Assistant Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open medical assistant positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Assistant Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Medical Assistant make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median medical assistant salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $33,678 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $38,270. Salaries range from $25,872 (10th percentile) to $45,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Assistant make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $33,678, a medical assistant in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for medical assistant pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median medical assistant salary of $33,678 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $34,060. 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 medical assistant salary of $33,678 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical assistant in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most medical assistant positions in Cedar Rapids require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Vital Signs, Patient Prep, Medical Terminology, EMR Systems. The job market is projected to grow 14% nationally over the next decade.