Computer Programmer salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Computer Programmers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $78,250 a year ($37.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,670 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $79,180. There are 0.69 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,730 | $24.87 |
| 25th percentile | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Median | $78,250 | $37.62 |
| 75th percentile | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,670 | $49.36 |
| Average (mean) | $78,340 | $37.66 |
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 | $6,520.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,260.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,009.62 |
| Weekly | $1,504.81 |
| Hourly | $37.62 |
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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $79,200 | 320 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $113,970 | $54.80 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,630 | $28.67 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $82,260 | $39.55 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $107,660 | $51.76 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,140 | $38.53 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $84,920 | $40.83 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Information Security Analyst | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| Web Developer | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Data Scientist | $82,050 | $39.45 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $78,250 a year, or $37.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $102,670 a year. The top 25% earn $90,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,730 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $66,460 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 60 computer programmers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.