Computer Programmers in Iowa. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Iowa computer programmers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $72,010 and $103,940, with a median of $79,180.
Computer Programmers in Iowa: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 49 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $84,282. 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.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 5 | $68,390 |
| Level II — qualified | 33 | $83,504 |
| Level III — experienced | 8 | $88,524 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $133,000 |
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.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCL AMERICA INC | Senior Technical Lead | 8 | $87,141 |
| Mphasis Corporation | Software Engineer | 6 | $97,000 |
| Kirkwood Community College | Software Developer II | 4 | $87,842 |
| Tata Consultancy Services Limited | Developer | 4 | $80,236 |
| WIPRO LIMITED | Solution Lead L1 | 3 | $86,400 |
| COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | Senior Associate JC60 - Computer Programmers | 2 | $73,424 |
| FBL Financial Group, Inc. | Lead Application Developer | 2 | $124,302 |
| LETTER B, LLC | BACK END PROGRAMMER | 2 | $68,390 |
| LTIMindtree Limited | Computer Programmer | 2 | $78,937 |
| Accenture LLP | Packaged App Development Team Lead | 1 | $76,400 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- SOFTWARE ENGINEER at SQUAD SOFTWARE, INC.$96,000DES MOINESWage Level IIIDecided Mar 2, 2026I-200-26054-657456
- Application Programmer Analyst at Grab Minds, Inc.$82,100Cedar RapidsWage Level IIIDecided Feb 20, 2026I-200-26043-637327
- Software Developer II at Kirkwood Community College$87,198Cedar RapidsWage Level IIDecided Feb 12, 2026I-200-26036-623070
- Software Engineer II at University of Nebraska Medical Center$83,504MarionWage Level IIDecided Jan 28, 2026I-200-26021-578202
- COMPUTER PROGRAMMER at ASPIRE SYSTEMS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION INC.$100,000West Des MoinesWage Level IIIDecided Jan 14, 2026I-200-26007-541918
- Software Developer II at Kirkwood Community College$88,486Cedar RapidsWage Level IIDecided Jan 12, 2026I-200-26005-533427
- Lead Application Developer at FBL Financial Group, Inc.$133,000West Des MoinesWage Level IVDecided Jan 6, 2026I-200-25363-515022
- Solution Lead L1 at WIPRO LIMITED$90,590Des MoinesWage Level IIDecided Jan 5, 2026I-200-25360-511422
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.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
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.
Computer Programmers specialties in Iowa
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 32 certified offers. The most common variant is Computer Programmer at a median of $78,937.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmer | LTIMindtree Limited | 6 | $78,937 |
| Developer | Tata Consultancy Services Limited | 6 | $82,992 |
| Senior Technical Lead | HCL AMERICA INC | 5 | $82,035 |
| Application Developer | FBL Financial Group, Inc. | 4 | $107,677 |
| Software Engineer | Mphasis Corporation | 4 | $96,500 |
| Software Programmer | Mphasis Corporation | 4 | $107,139 |
| Software Developer | Kirkwood Community College | 3 | $88,486 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Computer Programmers in Iowa, by industry
Median offered wage across 49 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $82,983.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | HCL AMERICA INC | 38 | $82,983 |
| Education | Kirkwood Community College | 5 | $87,198 |
| Finance and insurance | FBL Financial Group, Inc. | 4 | $124,302 |
| Professional services | Accenture LLP | 2 | $70,700 |
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 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Programming
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 3.8 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.8 / 5
Complex Problem Solving
Technical
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
- 02
Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- 03
Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- 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.
- 05
Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- 06
Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
- 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.
- 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, 2024–2034 cycle.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Computer Programmers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesCompare Computer Programmers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Iowa with another state
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 $79,180.
- How does Iowa compare to the national median for Computer Programmers?
- The Iowa median is -15.9% versus the BLS national figure of $94,155.
- What is the salary range for Computer Programmers in Iowa?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $54,060 and the 90th-percentile at $128,520, 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.
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.