Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $106,409 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Cedar Rapids, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $106,409 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, 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 $119,610 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($133,985) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates aiming to start their careers as physician assistants in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the entry-level pay can be quite competitive with a projected starting salary of $106,409 in 2026. While this figure is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $133,985, it offers a promising entry point for those just beginning their professional journeys. Over the first three to five years, new physician assistants can expect growth potential that takes them through to the 25th percentile salary of $123,602 as they gain experience and prove their competencies. Cedar Rapids currently presents a favorable market for new graduates, blending an affordable cost of living index of 88.963 with a solid demand for healthcare professionals, particularly in primary care settings.
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 physician assistants in Cedar Rapids, IA typically start between $106,409 and $123,602 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $96,718 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $133,985 — 4.56% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Iowa of $70,000 represents just 65.78% of the starting physician assistant pay ($106,409/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 based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cedar Rapids
- 1Research the Cedar Rapids market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $106,409 to $123,602, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant 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.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Cedar Rapids is $96,718 ( 90.89%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $106,409, experienced hygienists can earn up to $203,127.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,490
2025 BLS Actual
$102,990
2026 Current Est.
$106,409
2019–2027 Growth
+101.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,409 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,942 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar Rapids, IA grew 89.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,490 in 2019 to $102,990 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $109,942. 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 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, several healthcare employers actively seek to onboard new graduate physician assistants, which can provide structured training that eases the transition from education to full-time practice. Primary care settings and urgent care facilities are known for hiring newly graduated PAs, while surgical subspecialties often recruit through dedicated residency and fellowship programs. For better starting pay, credentials play a vital role; obtaining a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, achieving NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and securing a state PA license, along with DEA registration, are essential steps. Additionally, pursuing a Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties can enhance career prospects. The early years for PAs in Cedar Rapids can be lucrative, especially in surgical fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery where compensation tends to be higher due to first-assist billing capabilities. Given that salaries can fluctuate significantly based on experience and location, realistic growth expectations in the first few years will hinge on leveraging all available educational and professional resources.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
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 physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% 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, 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 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov