Technology Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Game Developer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median game developer salary in Des Moines, IA is $75,650 per year, which is 11% below the national median and 3.5% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$75,650
vs State Avg
+$2,550
vs National
$-9,350
Cost of Living
92%

Game Developer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level game developer earns around $44,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $131,720 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,500
$-5,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$77,430
$-9,570 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$131,720
$-16,280 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $42,720
25th Percentile $57,850
Median (50th) $75,650
75th Percentile $106,800
90th Percentile $137,950

Game Developer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$78,200
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$72,250
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$70,550
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$68,850
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Game Developer in Des Moines

Education

Most game developer positions require a bachelor's degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

C++Unity/Unreal3D MathGame PhysicsGPU ProgrammingVersion Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, game developer employment is projected to grow 10% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.