Technology Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Software Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median software engineer salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $105,570 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 1.2% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$105,570
vs State Avg
$-1,242
vs National
$-18,630
Cost of Living
88%

Software Engineer Pay in Cedar Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Cedar Rapids offers a median software engineer salary of $105,570, which is $1,242 below the Iowa state average of $106,812. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Cedar Rapids pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cedar Rapids's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $105,570 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $119,966 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for software engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for software engineers in Cedar Rapids spans from $63,410 at the 10th percentile to $168,793 at the 90th percentile — a $105,383 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,300, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $157,250. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level software engineer earns around $66,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $157,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,300
$-11,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$106,250
$-18,750 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$157,250
$-27,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $63,410
25th Percentile $83,470
Median (50th) $105,570
75th Percentile $134,470
90th Percentile $168,793

Software Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

How to Become a Software Engineer in Cedar Rapids

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Cedar Rapids

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Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Software Engineer make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $105,570 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $63,410 (10th percentile) to $168,793 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,570, a software engineer in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median software engineer salary of $105,570 is 1.2% below the Iowa state average of $106,812. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $105,570 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Cedar Rapids require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.