Computer Programmer salary in Iowa City, IA
Computer Programmers in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $113,590 a year ($54.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,520 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 43% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $79,180. There are 1.1 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $108,010, close to the median.
Pay range for computer programmers in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| 25th percentile | $79,760 | $38.34 |
| Median | $113,590 | $54.61 |
| 75th percentile | $128,520 | $61.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,520 | $61.79 |
| Average (mean) | $108,010 | $51.93 |
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 | $9,465.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,732.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,368.85 |
| Weekly | $2,184.42 |
| Hourly | $54.61 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Computer Programmer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $107,680 | $51.77 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $106,890 | $51.39 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $87,770 | $42.20 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $82,040 | $39.44 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $66,680 | $32.06 |
| Information Security Analyst | $120,370 | $57.87 |
| Computer Network Architect | $96,790 | $46.54 |
| Database Administrator | $101,580 | $48.84 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $75,330 | $36.22 |
| Data Scientist | $72,120 | $34.67 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $113,590 a year, or $54.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $128,520 a year. The top 25% earn $128,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,650 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $79,760 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Iowa City, IA?
About 100 computer programmers are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.