Computer Programmer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Computer Programmers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $79,200 a year ($38.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,180 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $79,180. There are 0.80 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,990 | $25.96 |
| 25th percentile | $69,050 | $33.20 |
| Median | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| 75th percentile | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,180 | $63.55 |
| Average (mean) | $85,640 | $41.17 |
Half of computer programmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,600 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,300 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,046.15 |
| Weekly | $1,523.08 |
| Hourly | $38.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $113,590 | 100 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $95,150 | 640 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $84,400 | 40 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $78,250 | 60 |
| Ames, IA | $77,720 | 30 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $76,530 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
See Computer Programmer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $126,460 | $60.80 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $109,490 | $52.64 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $89,800 | $43.17 |
| Information Security Analyst | $123,740 | $59.49 |
| Computer Network Architect | $108,280 | $52.06 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $75,680 | $36.38 |
| Web Developer | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Database Architect | $120,030 | $57.71 |
| Database Administrator | $109,750 | $52.77 |
| Data Scientist | $103,030 | $49.53 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $79,200 a year, or $38.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $132,180 a year. The top 25% earn $100,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,990 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $69,050 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 320 computer programmers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.