Accountant Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $79,194 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $79,194/year (≈ $38.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $89,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for accountants in 2026 is $79,194. This figure falls short of the national median of $85,864, reflecting local conditions that can impact overall accountant pay in Cedar Rapids. The salary range extends from $54,455 at the 10th percentile to $127,862 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant disparities based on experience and specialization. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, paints a picture of an evolving market influenced by the structural divide between Big 4 firms and regional operations. As demand for skilled accountants persists, those with high-level qualifications and specialized knowledge will continue to see the best opportunities in Cedar Rapids.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,455 | $26.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,859 | $30.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,194 | $38.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,450 | $47.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,862 | $61.47 |
Median Salary Position
7.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,407 (2026 est.). At $79,194, the local median is 7.77% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Rapids Accountant Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $79,194/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,433 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -7.77% less |
Accountants in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $79,194 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.77% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.30% below the Iowa state average of $79,433.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $79,194 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,019 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,870
2025 BLS Actual
$77,180
2026 Current Est.
$79,194
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,194 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,261 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.2% from $65,870 (2019) to $77,180 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,261 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,391 (23.37%) from 2019.
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 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,455 – $62,859 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,859 – $79,194 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,194 – $99,450 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,450 – $127,862 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Cedar Rapids
The local job market is robust, with approximately 1,190 accountants currently employed in Cedar Rapids, IA. Given the cost of living index of 88.963, which is below the national average, the take-home purchasing power for accountants is notably enhanced despite the lower median salary compared to national standards. High-paying employers in the city include the Big 4 public accounting firms, which offer competitive salaries that often exceed those at regional CPA practices and local corporate departments. The pay spread in Cedar Rapids can be attributed to a variety of factors—obtaining a CPA license significantly boosts earning potential, while entry positions at public firms vary widely from senior roles in industry positions, which typically offer substantial bonuses and overtime. For accountants looking to maximize their pay, focusing on specializations such as tax or forensic accounting, as well as pursuing upward mobility in public accounting, can lead to higher compensation and satisfying career growth.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $77,180 for accountantsin the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov