How much does a Software Engineer make in Iowa?

The average Software Engineer salary in Iowa is around $145,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $105,475 annually ($8,790/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Iowa?

On a $145,000 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $105,475/year or $8,790/month. Federal tax: $23,534. State tax: $4,898. FICA: $0.00.

Is $145,000 a good Software Engineer salary?

$145,000 is a strong salary for a Software Engineer — above the national median. In Iowa, demand for this role is active.

How do Iowa taxes affect Software Engineer salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $145,000 is $4,898. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 27.3%.

What are the career growth prospects for Software Engineers?

25% growth through 2032 (much faster than average). Related roles include: Software Developer, Backend Engineer, Full Stack Developer, Frontend Engineer.

How can a Software Engineer in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Tech

Software Engineer Salary in Iowa (2026)

The average Software Engineer in Iowa earns around $145,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $105,475/year ($8,790/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$105,475
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$8,790
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$4,057
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$51/hr
Federal Tax	$23,534
State Tax	$4,898
FICA Taxes	$11,093
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	27.26%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

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Software Engineer Salary Ranges in Iowa

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$110,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$145,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$200,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Software Engineers earn the same — not even close

Iowa's software engineering market is anchored by Principal Financial Group HQ Des Moines (Fortune 500 ~$15B + ~17K + $700B+ AUM + the substantial post-2021 Principal-Wells Fargo Asset Management acquisition + Principal Securities + Principal Bank + the substantial Principal digital platform), John Deere (Deere & Company HQ Moline IL + substantial Iowa Quad Cities + Waterloo Engine Works + Davenport Works + Dubuque Works construction + Ankeny Des Moines Works + Cedar Falls + ~30K+ John Deere Iowa workforce + the substantial John Deere precision ag + autonomous tractor + connected machines), Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids (RTX subsidiary post-2018 UTC + 2020 Raytheon Technologies + ~9K Cedar Rapids + avionics + military communications + the substantial Collins Cedar Rapids software), Workiva Ames (post-2010 cloud financial reporting SaaS + the substantial Workiva Wdesk + Wdata), Pioneer Hi-Bred + Corteva Agriscience Johnston (DowDuPont spin-off seed corn), Casey's General Stores HQ Ankeny + Hy-Vee HQ West Des Moines, plus University of Iowa CS + Iowa State CS + UNI + Drake CS pipelines.

Staff / Principal Engineer (Principal / Collins)

$155,000–$275,000+ TC

Senior IC at Principal Financial + Collins Aerospace · insurance tech + avionics

Senior Engineer (Principal Financial)

$125,000–$195,000+ bonus

Principal Financial Des Moines · retirement + asset management + insurance tech

Senior Engineer (John Deere Ag Tech)

$118,000–$185,000+ TC

John Deere Waterloo + Davenport + Dubuque + Ankeny · precision ag + autonomous tractor

Senior Engineer (Cleared / Collins Aerospace)

$125,000–$195,000+ TC

Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids · RTX subsidiary + avionics + military comms · TS/SCI

Senior Engineer (Workiva Ames)

$115,000–$175,000+ TC

Workiva Ames · post-2010 cloud financial reporting SaaS + Wdesk + Wdata

Senior Engineer (Pioneer / Corteva)

$112,000–$172,000+ bonus

Pioneer Hi-Bred + Corteva Agriscience Johnston · ag tech + seed genomics + bio-software

Senior Engineer (Athene / Sammons / Insurance)

$115,000–$178,000+ bonus

Athene + Sammons Financial + EMC Insurance Des Moines · annuity + actuarial tech

Engineering Manager

$155,000–$255,000+ TC

EM at Principal + John Deere + Collins + Workiva + Pioneer · team lead

Mid-Level Engineer (3-6 yrs)

$82,000–$125,000

Functional IC at IA major employers · transitioning to senior band

Junior Engineer (0-3 yrs)

$65,000–$88,000

University of Iowa CS + Iowa State CS + UNI + Drake CS pipeline · entry band

Worth knowing: Principal Financial HQ Des Moines + John Deere Iowa Quad Cities + Waterloo + Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids tri-anchor is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US insurance + ag equipment + defense aerospace software anchor and a feature most national SE surveys understate for IA. Principal Financial (Fortune 500 ~$15B + ~17K employees + ~$700B+ AUM + the substantial post-2021 Principal-Wells Fargo Asset Management acquisition + Principal Securities + Principal Bank + the substantial Principal Global Investors + the substantial Principal digital retirement + asset management platform + the substantial Principal Iowa-anchored insurance + retirement software stack) supports substantial IA insurance + retirement tech work. Senior Principal Financial engineers clear $125-195K+ bonus. John Deere Iowa (Waterloo Engine Works + Foundry + Tractor Cab Assembly + Davenport Works + Dubuque Works construction equipment + Ankeny Des Moines Works + Cedar Falls + the substantial John Deere ~30K+ Iowa workforce + the substantial John Deere precision agriculture + autonomous tractor + the substantial John Deere Operations Center + the substantial John Deere connected machines platform + the substantial John Deere post-2024 SeeSpray precision sprayer + the substantial John Deere Blue River Technology acquisition AI computer vision) supports substantial IA ag tech SE. Senior John Deere engineers clear $118-185K+ TC. Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids (RTX subsidiary + ~9K + avionics + military communications + the substantial Collins post-2024 KC-46 + F-35 avionics software) supports substantial cleared aerospace SE. Workiva Ames + Pioneer Hi-Bred + Corteva Agriscience Johnston + Athene + Sammons + EMC Insurance. IA flat 3.8% (post-2022 + 2023 + 2024 reform final phase) + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 + IA property tax ~1.50% anchor the IA SE proposition.