Software Engineer salary in Des Moines, IA
Based on 559 certified H-1B filings in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes West Des Moines, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, Carlisle.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $81,994 |
| 25th | $96,304 |
| 50th (median) | $103,605 |
| 75th | $125,650 |
| 90th | $140,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $84,760 | $80,600 | $95,000 | 705 |
| FY2021 | $90,000 | $84,760 | $100,000 | 502 |
| FY2022 | $93,630 | $84,783 | $110,448 | 440 |
| FY2023 | $91,000 | $85,467 | $110,000 | 343 |
| FY2024 | $90,000 | $86,590 | $111,816 | 319 |
| FY2025 | $100,875 | $96,304 | $125,550 | 328 |
| FY2026 | $106,500 | $100,838 | $125,450 | 231 |
Cost of living
Des Moines's median Software Engineer salary of $103,605 is worth about $113,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Des Moines = 91.7).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Des Moines, IA area earned a median of $126,460 in May 2025 (4,240 employed). The H-1B median here is $103,605, 18% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Siri Consultancy Services | $80,000 | 38 |
| Deere & Company | $125,650 | 22 |
| Wellmark | $110,430 | 18 |
| Quality Consulting | $97,760 | 17 |
| Athene Annuity and Life Company | $140,000 | 15 |
| Corteva Agriscience | $128,960 | 13 |
| Compunnel Software Group | too few | 9 |
| Musco Sports Lighting | too few | 8 |
| Neutronit | too few | 8 |
| UST | too few | 7 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $81,994 | 102 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $100,838 | 269 |
| Senior · Level III | $120,000 | 78 |
| Expert · Level IV | $138,507 | 93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $79,976 | $81,994 | 102 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $100,838 | $100,838 | 269 |
| Senior · Level III | $119,662 | $120,000 | 78 |
| Expert · Level IV | $138,507 | $138,507 | 93 |
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.