Network Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $78,200 (2026)

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

Cedar Rapids offers a median network engineer salary of $78,200, which is $920 below the Iowa state average of $79,120. Compared to the national median of $92,000, 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 $78,200 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $88,864 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for network engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for network engineers in Cedar Rapids spans from $47,600 at the 10th percentile to $123,250 at the 90th percentile — a $75,650 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $51,000, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $117,300. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Network Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level network engineer earns around $51,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $117,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$51,000

$-9,000 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$79,900

$-14,100 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$117,300

$-20,700 vs national

Percentile	Cedar Rapids	IA State	National
10th Percentile	$47,600	$48,160	$56,000
25th Percentile	$62,900	$63,640	$74,000
Median (50th)	$78,200	$79,120	$92,000
75th Percentile	$100,300	$101,480	$118,000
90th Percentile	$123,250	$124,700	$145,000

Percentile

Cedar Rapids

10th Percentile

$47,600

25th Percentile

$62,900

Median (50th)

$78,200

75th Percentile

$100,300

90th Percentile

$123,250

How to Become a Network Engineer in Cedar Rapids

Education

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

Key Skills

CiscoTCP/IPFirewallsVPNNetwork MonitoringCCNA/CCNP

Job Outlook

Nationally, network engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Network Engineer make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼

The median network engineer salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $78,200 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $47,600 (10th percentile) to $123,250 (90th percentile).

How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $78,200, a network engineer in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for network engineer pay? ▼

Cedar Rapids's median network engineer salary of $78,200 is 1.2% below the Iowa state average of $79,120. 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 network engineer salary of $78,200 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Cedar Rapids? ▼

Most network engineer positions in Cedar Rapids require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Cisco, TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.

Network Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa