Careers in Cedar Rapids, IA
Part of Iowa.
Cedar Rapids, IA’s regional price level is below the national average (index 88.963, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).
Unemployment rate: 3.2% · 140,877 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).
Highest-Paying Careers
See full list →- 1Family Medicine Physicians$260,440
- 2Chief Executives$182,210
- 3Dentists, General$175,420
- 4Computer Hardware Engineers$161,160
- 5Architectural and Engineering Managers$152,530
Largest Occupations
See full list →- 1Fast Food and Counter Workers3,590 employed
- 2Retail Salespersons3,410 employed
- 3Customer Service Representatives3,130 employed
- 4Cashiers3,090 employed
- 5Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers3,030 employed
Highest Concentration
See full list →- 1Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders14.61× national avg
- 2Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers7.61× national avg
- 3Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic4.79× national avg
- 4Dental Laboratory Technicians4.70× national avg
- 5Personal Service Managers, All Other4.68× national avg
Best Purchasing Power
See full list →cost-of-living adjusted
- 1Family Medicine Physicians$292,751
- 2Chief Executives$204,815
- 3Dentists, General$197,183
- 4Computer Hardware Engineers$181,154
- 5Architectural and Engineering Managers$171,453
Sources
Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see Iowa state page.