Software Engineer.
Des Moines.
$120,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$93,000 to $155,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Software Engineer offer in Des Moines, IA, here is the reality: $93,000 to $155,000, with $120,000 as the midpoint. 11% below the national average. Years of experience, specific technology stack expertise, and company stage are the primary drivers. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $108,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$78,000
to $96,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$102,000
to $126,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$132,000
to $156,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$150,000
to $186,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $26,000 to the total package.
Base
$120,000
Equity
$14,000
Bonus
$10,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $146,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$120,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$135,000
Des Moines is $15,000 below
Software Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
The Software Engineer landscape in Des Moines is not what most salary sites will tell you. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The metro's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. Tech employment is growing as insurtech companies expand. Years of experience, specific technology stack expertise, and company stage are the primary drivers. Engineers proficient in distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, or high demand languages like Rust and Go command premiums. Working at a FAANG or well funded startup significantly shifts the upper bound of compensation.
Junior engineers typically start at $85,000 to $110,000, with mid level reaching $130,000 to $170,000 after three to five years. Senior engineers earn $170,000 to $250,000+, while staff and principal engineers at top firms can exceed $400,000 in total compensation. Moving into management or architecture opens additional tracks. In Des Moines, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation at top companies often doubles the base through equity grants (RSUs or stock options) and annual bonuses of 10 to 20%. Signing bonuses of $20,000 to $50,000 are common at senior levels. Benefits typically include generous 401(k) matching and wellness stipends. And on the tax side: iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low tax rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. When someone quotes you $120,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against national insurance industry pay scales. Des Moines insurance employers must compete with remote offers from larger metros and will often match. The range for Software Engineers in Des Moines runs from $93,000 to $155,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Marketing Technologist in Des Moines earns $119,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Chief AI Officer at $277,000
Common questions.
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