Senior Systems Engineer / Architect salary in Des Moines, IA
Based on 74 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level III in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes West Des Moines, Waukee, Johnston, Urbandale, Ankeny.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $102,294 |
| 25th | $102,294 |
| 50th (median) | $106,122 |
| 75th | $106,122 |
| 90th | $119,700 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $90,000 | $85,000 | $93,550 | 23 |
| FY2021 | $85,000 | $78,500 | $91,800 | 19 |
| FY2022 | $84,275 | $74,684 | $94,150 | 14 |
| FY2023 | $108,930 | $108,930 | $125,000 | 21 |
| FY2024 | $108,930 | $108,930 | $108,930 | 41 |
| FY2025 | $102,294 | $102,294 | $106,122 | 42 |
| FY2026 | $106,122 | $106,122 | $106,122 | 32 |
Cost of living
Des Moines's median senior Systems Engineer / Architect salary of $106,122 is worth about $115,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Des Moines = 91.7).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Systems Engineers/Architects in the Des Moines, IA area earned a median of $109,490 in May 2025 (1,770 employed). The H-1B median here is $106,122, 3% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Cognizant | $106,122 | 58 |
| Accenture | too few | 2 |
| Compunnel Software Group | too few | 2 |
| E-Giants Technologies | too few | 2 |
| Emonics | too few | 2 |
| LTIMindtree | too few | 2 |
| Zentest Software | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 2 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $84,115 | 59 |
| Senior · Level III | $106,122 | 74 |
| Expert · Level IV | $128,149 | 36 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $84,115 | $84,115 | 59 |
| Senior · Level III | $106,122 | $106,122 | 74 |
| Expert · Level IV | $124,051 | $128,149 | 36 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.