Civil Engineer salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Civil Engineers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $95,540 a year ($45.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,200 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $96,430. There are 2.1 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| 25th percentile | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| Median | $95,540 | $45.94 |
| 75th percentile | $123,670 | $59.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,200 | $62.59 |
| Average (mean) | $98,610 | $47.41 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,961.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,980.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,674.62 |
| Weekly | $1,837.31 |
| Hourly | $45.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $102,020 | 1,240 |
| Ames, IA | $100,200 | 290 |
| Dubuque, IA | $99,210 | 120 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,430 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $97,330 | 830 |
| Iowa City, IA | $93,020 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $92,950 | 410 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $88,460 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer | $104,360 | $50.17 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,570 | $47.87 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $161,160 | $77.48 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Engineers, All Other | $111,080 | $53.41 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,340 | $35.74 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,660 | $30.12 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $94,230 | $45.30 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,530 | $29.58 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $95,540 a year, or $45.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $130,200 a year. The top 25% earn $123,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,700 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $76,230 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 290 civil engineers are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.