Investigate the properties and composition of matter to develop new products and materials. Median salary in Cedar Rapids: $68K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Chemists in Cedar Rapids earn approximately 15% lower than the US national median for this role — a $12,000 discount on annual base salary. Cedar Rapids's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 85 (US avg = 100).
Average 1-bedroom rent in Cedar Rapids ($1,050/mo) consumes approximately 28% of an after-tax median Chemist salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($92K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $68K by 2030.
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The median Chemist salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $68,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Cedar Rapids–IA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Chemists in Cedar Rapids with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $49,000 and $68,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $68,000 to $92,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $92,000 to $121,000 or more.
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living index of 85 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 15% further in Cedar Rapids than the national average. Iowa has a 4.82% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's or PhD in Chemistry. 22% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.