Technology Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Software Engineer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median software engineer salary in Des Moines, IA is $110,538 per year, which is 11% below the national median and 3.5% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$110,538
vs State Avg
+$3,726
vs National
$-13,662
Cost of Living
92%

Software Engineer Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median software engineer salary of $110,538, which is $3,726 above the Iowa state average of $106,812. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in Des Moines spans from $66,394 at the 10th percentile to $176,736 at the 90th percentile — a $110,342 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $69,420, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $164,650. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level software engineer earns around $69,420, while experienced professionals earn up to $164,650 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$69,420
$-8,580 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$111,250
$-13,750 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$164,650
$-20,350 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $66,394
25th Percentile $87,398
Median (50th) $110,538
75th Percentile $140,798
90th Percentile $176,736

Software Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$114,264
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$105,570
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$103,086
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$100,602
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Software Engineer in Des Moines

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Des Moines 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 Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open software engineer positions in Des Moines, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Software Engineer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $110,538 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $66,394 (10th percentile) to $176,736 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $110,538, a software engineer in Des Moines earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median software engineer salary of $110,538 is 3.5% above the Iowa state average of $106,812. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $110,538 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Des Moines? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Des Moines 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.