Technology Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Software Engineer Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median software engineer salary in Iowa City, IA is $114,264 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 7.0% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$114,264
vs State Avg
+$7,452
vs National
$-9,936
Cost of Living
95%

Software Engineer Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median software engineer salary of $114,264, which is $7,452 above the Iowa state average of $106,812. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% 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 Iowa City spans from $68,632 at the 10th percentile to $182,694 at the 90th percentile — a $114,062 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $71,760, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $170,200. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level software engineer earns around $71,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $170,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$71,760
$-6,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$115,000
$-10,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$170,200
$-14,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $68,632
25th Percentile $90,344
Median (50th) $114,264
75th Percentile $145,544
90th Percentile $182,694

Software Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$110,538
Pop. 214,133
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 Iowa City

Education

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

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open software engineer positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Software Engineer make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $114,264 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $68,632 (10th percentile) to $182,694 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $114,264, a software engineer in Iowa City earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Iowa City's median software engineer salary of $114,264 is 7.0% above the Iowa state average of $106,812. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $114,264 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Iowa City? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Iowa City 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.