Software Engineer Salary in Iowa
Based on 4K+ workers in Iowa
Median Annual Salary (IA)
$107,340
$51.61/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
+0.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$50K – $166K
4K employed in Iowa
Software Engineer salary in Iowa averages $107,340 per year, positioning the state slightly ahead of national trends. With approximately 3,850 software engineers employed across Iowa, this median figure represents a competitive compensation level that exceeds the national average by 1 percent. Salaries in this field typically range from $49,990 to $165,920 annually.
Several factors shape Software Engineer salary in Iowa, including experience level, educational background, and specific technical skills. Geographic location within the state, company size, and industry sector also play significant roles in determining compensation. Those with specialized expertise in high-demand programming languages or emerging technologies tend to command higher salaries, while entry-level positions and roles in smaller markets may fall toward the lower end of the range.
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,990 |
| 25th percentile | $77,020 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $107,340 |
| 75th percentile | $134,850 |
| 90th percentile | $165,920 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer in Iowa
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Iowa — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 4 | $95,212 |
| 2 | SANAV TECHNOLOGIES LLC | 3 | $76,482 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Iowa
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Iowa.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level II | Qualified | $80,000 | 17 |
| Level III | Experienced | $94,786 | 13 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Engineers in Iowa tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $131,760 | 27K |
| Information | $131,720 | 48K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,070 | 25K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $124,530 | 98K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $121,310 | 124K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in Iowa vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Iowa) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $85,160 |
| 2023 | $97,090 |
| 2024 | $103,690 |
| 2025 | $107,340 |
| 2026 (projected) | $111,118 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Iowa Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $85,160 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $97,090 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $103,690 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $107,340 | $106,671 |
| 2026 (projected) | $111,118 | $110,426 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $77,020 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $107,340 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $134,850 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $165,920 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in Iowa
How other high-demand occupations in Iowa compare to Software Engineer ($107,340 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in IA | $143,780 | +33.9% | $69.13/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in IA | $125,120 | +16.6% | $60.15/hr |
| Database Administrator in IA | $124,040 | +15.6% | $59.63/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in IA | $119,710 | +11.5% | $57.55/hr |
| Software Developer in IA | $114,890 | +7.0% | $55.24/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in IA | $103,050 | -4.0% | $49.54/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in IA | $95,920 | -10.6% | $46.12/hr |
| Data Scientist in IA | $95,830 | -10.7% | $46.07/hr |
| Network Administrator in IA | $84,500 | -21.3% | $40.63/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in IA | $80,580 | -24.9% | $38.74/hr |
| Statistician in IA | $80,150 | -25.3% | $38.53/hr |
| Computer Programmer in IA | $79,180 | -26.2% | $38.07/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software engineers make in Iowa?
- The median salary for software engineers in Iowa is $107,340 per year, or $52 per hour. This is slightly above the national average, representing a +0.6% difference compared to software engineers nationwide.
What is the salary range for software engineers in Iowa?
- Software engineer salaries in Iowa range from $49,990 at the lower end to $165,920 at the higher end. This wide range reflects differences in experience level, specialization, and employer size.
Is the software engineer salary in Iowa competitive?
- Yes, Iowa's median software engineer salary of $107,340 is competitive, exceeding the national average by 0.6%. With approximately 3,850 software engineers employed in the state, Iowa offers solid opportunities in the tech job market.
What can a software engineer expect to earn starting out in Iowa?
- Entry-level software engineers in Iowa can expect to earn around $49,990 annually at the lower end of the salary range. However, median earnings of $107,340 show significant earning potential as experience and skills grow.