Computer Programmer salary in Iowa
Computer Programmers in Iowa earn a median of $79,180 a year ($38.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,520 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $100,390. Iowa ranks 41st of 46 states for computer programmers pay. There are 0.61 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| 25th percentile | $72,010 | $34.62 |
| Median | $79,180 | $38.07 |
| 75th percentile | $103,940 | $49.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,520 | $61.79 |
| Average (mean) | $87,010 | $41.83 |
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 | $6,598.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,299.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,045.38 |
| Weekly | $1,522.69 |
| Hourly | $38.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $79,200 | 320 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $114,890 | $55.24 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,920 | $46.11 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $107,340 | $51.61 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $84,500 | $40.62 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| Computer Network Architect | $103,050 | $49.54 |
| Information Security Analyst | $119,710 | $57.55 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $88,590 | $42.59 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $69,060 | $33.20 |
| Web Developer | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Database Administrator | $101,210 | $48.66 |
| Database Architect | $124,040 | $59.64 |
| Data Scientist | $95,830 | $46.07 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for computer programmers in Iowa is $79,180 a year, or $38.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of computer programmers in Iowa earn at least $128,520 a year. The top 25% earn $103,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,060 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $72,010 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Iowa?
About 950 computer programmers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.