Healthcare Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Physician Assistant Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median physician assistant salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $110,889 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$110,889
vs State Avg
$-1,260
vs National
$-15,121
Cost of Living
88%

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

Cedar Rapids offers a median physician assistant salary of $110,889, which is $1,260 below the Iowa state average of $112,149. Compared to the national median of $126,010, 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 $110,889 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,010 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for physician assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physician assistants in Cedar Rapids spans from $73,920 at the 10th percentile to $153,120 at the 90th percentile — a $79,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,440, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $142,560. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physician Assistant Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $77,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $142,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,440
$-10,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$110,880
$-15,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$142,560
$-19,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $73,920
25th Percentile $93,280
Median (50th) $110,889
75th Percentile $132,880
90th Percentile $153,120

Physician Assistant Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$119,710
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$115,929
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$108,369
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$105,848
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Cedar Rapids

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis

Job Outlook

Nationally, physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open physician assistant positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $110,889 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $73,920 (10th percentile) to $153,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $110,889, a physician assistant in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median physician assistant salary of $110,889 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $112,149. 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 physician assistant salary of $110,889 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Cedar Rapids require a master's degree. Key skills include Clinical Assessment, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting, Patient Communication. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.