Physician Assistant salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Physician Assistants in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $129,680 a year ($62.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,600 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 4% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $134,770. There are 0.56 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $140,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,990 | $49.51 |
| 25th percentile | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Median | $129,680 | $62.35 |
| 75th percentile | $155,680 | $74.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,600 | $94.52 |
| Average (mean) | $140,730 | $67.66 |
Half of physician assistants 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 | $10,806.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,403.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,987.69 |
| Weekly | $2,493.85 |
| Hourly | $62.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $137,420 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $134,770 | 230 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $134,130 | 720 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $133,830 | 340 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $132,880 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $130,970 | 70 |
| Dubuque, IA | $126,050 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,370 | $37.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,890 | $62.45 |
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,270 | $39.55 |
| Chiropractor | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Dentists, General | $175,420 | $84.34 |
| Occupational Therapist | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Veterinarian | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $260,440 | $125.21 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,550 | $37.29 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Optometrist | $102,860 | $49.45 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. 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 physician assistant make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $129,680 a year, or $62.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $196,600 a year. The top 25% earn $155,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,990 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $119,630 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 80 physician assistants are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.