RateOrchard
DATA PROFILE · 2024

Computer Programmers salary in Iowa

Slowingmarket
-40%offers
+2.2%wages
heat35/100

Median, range, employment, and 10-year outlook from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, with skills and task data from O*NET. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 27, 2026
Median annual$84,730
Mean annual$88,310
Range (10th to 90th)$55,230 to $128,190
Iowa employment1,020
State vs national-14.0% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Iowa computer programmers fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$55,23025TH$70,070MEDIAN$84,73075TH$100,97090TH$128,190

The middle 50% of workers earn between $70,070 and $100,970, with a median of $84,730.

Real disclosed salaries

Computer Programmers in Iowa: actual employer-disclosed pay

Public records from 39 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $82,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.

By DOL wage level

DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.

LevelFilingsMedian offer
Level I — entry5$68,390
Level II — qualified22$81,401
Level III — experienced4$88,524
Level IV — fully competent1$137,795

Top employers filing for this role

Companies with the most certified filings for Computer Programmers in Iowa. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.

EmployerMost-filed titleFilingsMedian
HCL AMERICA INCSr Technical Lead8$87,141
Mphasis CorporationSOFTWARE PROGRAMMER II6$97,000
Tata Consultancy Services LimitedDeveloper4$80,236
LTIMindtree LimitedComputer Programmer2$78,937
COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORPSenior Associate JC60 - Computer Programmers2$73,424
WIPRO LIMITEDTechnical Lead L12$80,160
LETTER B, LLCFULL-STACK DELPHI PROGRAMMER2$68,390
FBL Financial Group, Inc.Senior Application Developer1$115,605
Pioneer Global, Inc.Python ETL Developer1$82,000
TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITEDDeveloper1$78,936

Recent sample filings

A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.

  • Senior Application Developer at FBL Financial Group, Inc.
    $115,605
    West Des MoinesDecided Dec 24, 2025I-200-25351-490285
  • Technical Lead at HCL AMERICA INC
    $82,035
    Cedar RapidsDecided Dec 2, 2025I-200-25328-431930
  • SOFTWARE PROGRAMMER II at Mphasis Corporation
    $79,248
    DES MOINESDecided Nov 26, 2025I-200-25324-423697
  • Computer Programmer at LTIMindtree Limited
    $78,937
    UrbandaleDecided Nov 26, 2025I-200-25323-420523
  • Python ETL Developer at Pioneer Global, Inc.
    $82,000
    West Des MoinesDecided Nov 19, 2025I-200-25316-402728
  • Computer Programmer at LTIMindtree Limited
    $78,937
    UrbandaleDecided Nov 17, 2025I-200-25311-386625
  • Software Engineer at Mphasis Corporation
    $97,000
    West Des MoinesWage Level IIDecided Sep 18, 2025I-200-25254-303533
  • Software Engineer at Mphasis Corporation
    $97,000
    AmesWage Level IIDecided Sep 16, 2025I-200-25252-297118

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.

By seniority

Computer Programmers pay by experience level in Iowa

Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.

Specialties

Computer Programmers specialties in Iowa

Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 23 certified offers. The most common variant is Developer at a median of $82,992.

SpecialtyTop employerFilingsMedian offer
DeveloperTata Consultancy Services Limited6$82,992
Sr Technical LeadHCL AMERICA INC5$82,035
Computer ProgrammerLTIMindtree Limited5$78,937
SOFTWARE PROGRAMMERMphasis Corporation4$107,139
Senior Application DeveloperFBL Financial Group, Inc.3$99,750

Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.

Pay by industry

Computer Programmers in Iowa, by industry

Median offered wage across 39 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $82,000.

IndustryLargest employerFilingsMedian offer
Technology and softwareHCL AMERICA INC33$82,000
Finance and insuranceFBL Financial Group, Inc.3$115,605
Professional servicesBeaconFire Staffing Solutions Inc2$70,700
EducationKirkwood Community College1$68,101

Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.

Wage trend

Median annual wage in Iowa over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.

Median annual wage, Iowa2023 to 2024
$82,2902023$84,7302024

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge

    4.9 / 5
  • Programming

    Technical

    4.8 / 5
  • Written Comprehension

    Ability

    4.0 / 5
  • Oral Comprehension

    Ability

    3.9 / 5
  • Near Vision

    Ability

    3.9 / 5
  • Critical Thinking

    Cross-functional

    3.8 / 5
  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    3.8 / 5
  • Complex Problem Solving

    Technical

    3.8 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.

  2. 02

    Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.

  3. 03

    Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.

  4. 04

    Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.

  5. 05

    Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.

  6. 06

    Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.

  7. 07

    Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language.

  8. 08

    Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.

10-year outlook

Growth 2024 → 2034

-6.0%

Projected annual openings

BLS outlook

Declining

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 20242034 cycle.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Computer Programmers in Iowa?
According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Computer Programmers in Iowa is $84,730.
How does Iowa compare to the national median for Computer Programmers?
The Iowa median is -14.0% versus the BLS national figure of $98,561.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers in Iowa?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $55,230 and the 90th-percentile at $128,190, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
Is Computer Programmers a growing field?
BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -6.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
What education is required for Computer Programmers?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.