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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Software Engineer in Iowa is $120,269 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Staff Software Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Staff Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $130,576 | $10,881 | $2,511 | $63 |
| Average | $120,269 | $10,022 | $2,313 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,792 | $9,233 | $2,131 | $53 |
Cottingham & Butler - Dubuque, IA
Moody's Corporation - Charlotte, IA
RFA Engineering - Dubuque, IA
Performance Software - Cedar Rapids, IA
A Staff Software Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Staff Software Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level Staff Software Engineer | $75,832 |
| Software ... Level Staff Software Engineer | $97,589 |
| Staff Sof... Level Staff Software Engineer | $119,511 |
| Software ... Level Staff Software Engineer | $138,268 |
| Software ... Level Staff Software Engineer | $158,951 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Staff Software Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Staff Software Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 14% above the average. In contrast, Staff Software Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Staff Software Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $137,107 | $66.0 | 14% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $134,701 | $65.0 | 12% |
| Internet | $133,499 | $64.0 | 11% |
| Biotechnology | $132,296 | $64.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $131,093 | $63.0 | 9% |
Understanding how a Staff Software Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $130,576 | $10,881 | $2,511 | $63 |
| Average | $120,269 | $10,022 | $2,313 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,792 | $9,233 | $2,131 | $53 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Staff Software Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc
Johnston, IA
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc | Johnston, IA
Job Description. Job Description. RFA Engineering (. www.rfamec.com. ). supports industry-leading clients through the full software development lifecycle t... more
9 Days Ago
Wellmark, Inc.
Des Moines, IA
Wellmark, Inc. | Des Moines, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Why Wellmark. We are a mutual insurance company owned by our policy holders across Iowa and South Da... more
7 Days Ago
Cottingham & Butler
Dubuque, IA
Cottingham & Butler | Dubuque, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Cottingham & Butler is seeking a highly motivated. Software Engineer with deep AI expertise. to join our IT team. This ro... more
6 Days Ago
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc
Johnston, IA
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc | Johnston, IA
Job Description. Job Description. RFA Engineering (. www.rfamec.com. ). supports industry-leading clients through the full software development lifecycle t... more
6 Days Ago
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc
Dubuque, IA
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc | Dubuque, IA
Job Description. Job Description. RFA Engineering. (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engi... more
6 Days Ago
Moody's Corporation
Charlotte, IA
Moody's Corporation | Charlotte, IA
hackajob is collaborating with Moody's Corporation to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. At Moody's, we unite the brightest minds t... more
6 Days Ago
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