Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $79,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Cedar Rapids, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,842 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar Rapids's local price level (BEA RPP 89.0 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $89,747 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($108,169) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Prospective electrical engineers entering the job market in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, can anticipate a starting salary of around $79,842 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the income spectrum for entry-level positions, particularly when compared to the median annual salary for all electrical engineers in the region, which sits at $108,169. New graduates can expect a growth trajectory that would see their earnings reach approximately $101,256 within the first few years, depending on factors such as industry focus and employer. Given Cedar Rapids' diverse economic landscape, which benefits from a lower-than-average cost of living index at 88.963, it currently presents a favorable environment for fresh graduates beginning their careers. This potential for salary growth, coupled with the city's economic opportunities, makes Cedar Rapids an attractive market for new electrical engineers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar Rapids
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
Entry-level electrical engineers in Cedar Rapids, IA typically start between $79,842 and $101,256 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $72,275 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $108,169 — 13.49% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Iowa of $52,000 represents just 65.13% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($79,842/year) in Cedar Rapids. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate electrical engineering programs at public and private universities. Many electrical engineers pursue master's degrees or specialization in power, controls, or electronics.
EE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cedar Rapids
- 1Research the Cedar Rapids market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $79,842 to $101,256, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical engineering field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar Rapids, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cedar Rapids for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar Rapids's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Electrical Engineer Compensation Range
The electrical engineer wage spread in Cedar Rapids is $72,275 ( 90.52%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,842, experienced hygienists can earn up to $152,117.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,910
2025 BLS Actual
$77,030
2026 Current Est.
$79,842
2019–2027 Growth
+16.7%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,756 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar Rapids, IA grew 8.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,910 in 2019 to $77,030 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,756. New graduates entering the Cedar Rapids job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical engineering Career in Cedar Rapids
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For new grads looking to establish themselves in the Cedar Rapids electrical engineering job market, several key employers consistently hire recent graduates. Companies in the semiconductor industry, such as Apple and Nvidia, frequently seek fresh talent and offer competitive packages that include significant pay and benefits, which attract engineering graduates from esteemed programs. Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman also provide opportunities, often prioritizing candidates with security clearances developed through internships. Utility companies recruit entry-level engineers through specialized training programs, although these roles may offer lower starting salaries than their tech counterparts. Securing credentials can substantially boost initial pay; graduates from ABET-accredited programs are encouraged to take the FE exam while in school and aim for a PE license later. New electrical engineers can make strategic choices that could enhance their earnings, such as specializing in chip design, which commands higher salaries, or considering roles in cleared defense work that typically offer additional compensation. Realistically, graduates can expect to see their earnings increase steadily over the first few years as they gain experience and enhance their qualifications.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical engineering graduates. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cedar Rapids. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov