Software Developer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Software Developers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $126,460 a year ($60.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,180 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 10% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $114,890. There are 10 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $122,980, close to the median.
Pay range for software developers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,170 | $38.06 |
| 25th percentile | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Median | $126,460 | $60.80 |
| 75th percentile | $140,390 | $67.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,180 | $80.85 |
| Average (mean) | $122,980 | $59.13 |
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 | $10,538.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,269.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,863.85 |
| Weekly | $2,431.92 |
| Hourly | $60.80 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $129,440 | 470 |
| 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Computer Programmer | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| 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 15-1252. 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for software developers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $126,460 a year, or $60.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of software developers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $168,180 a year. The top 25% earn $140,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,170 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $101,550 or less.
How many software developers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 4,240 software developers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.