Software Developer salary in Ames, IA
Software Developers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $129,440 a year ($62.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,040 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 13% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $114,890. There are 8.4 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $126,610, close to the median.
Pay range for software developers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 25th percentile | $100,120 | $48.13 |
| Median | $129,440 | $62.23 |
| 75th percentile | $147,690 | $71.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,040 | $79.35 |
| Average (mean) | $126,610 | $60.87 |
Half of software developers 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 | $10,786.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,393.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,978.46 |
| Weekly | $2,489.23 |
| Hourly | $62.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $126,460 | 4,240 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $125,220 | 3,920 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $115,780 | 1,220 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $114,340 | 1,250 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $113,970 | 280 |
| Iowa City, IA | $107,680 | 690 |
| Dubuque, IA | $105,360 | 330 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $101,150 | 230 |
Highest-paying states for software developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 |
| Washington | $166,540 |
| New York | $166,180 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| Oregon | $142,720 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 |
| Maryland | $138,680 |
| Colorado | $138,390 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 |
| Virginia | $136,460 |
See Software Developer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer User Support Specialist | $63,830 | $30.69 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $96,920 | $46.59 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $78,030 | $37.52 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $96,560 | $46.42 |
| Computer Network Architect | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Computer Programmer | $77,720 | $37.36 |
| Information Security Analyst | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| Data Scientist | $79,430 | $38.19 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1252. 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 software developer make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for software developers in the Ames, IA metro area is $129,440 a year, or $62.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of software developers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $165,040 a year. The top 25% earn $147,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,990 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $100,120 or less.
How many software developers work in Ames, IA?
About 470 software developers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.