Software Developer Salary in Des Moines, IA
Software Developers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $126,460 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $93,548 take-home, or $7,796 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,084
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,841
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,834
- Iowa income tax$4,154
- Take-home pay$93,548
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Software Developer pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,170 | $38.06 | $62,169 | $5,181 |
| 25th percentile | $101,550 | $48.82 | $77,063 | $6,422 |
| Median (50th) | $126,460 | $60.80 | $93,548 | $7,796 |
| 75th percentile | $140,390 | $67.50 | $102,540 | $8,545 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,180 | $80.86 | $120,478 | $10,040 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $126,460 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $93,548 take-home pay has the buying power of $102,014 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Software Developer jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.97).
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #12 of 72 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | $123,413 | $106,747 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $134,120 | $102,937 | $104,967 |
| 12 | Des Moines, IA | $126,460 | $93,548 | $102,014 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
About the job: software developers
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Des Moines, IA?
The median software developer salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $126,460 a year, or about $60.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $101,550 and $140,390.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $126,460 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $93,548 a year ($7,796 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,154 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $102,014 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #12 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 14% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Computer Systems Analyst — $102,070