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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Development Engineer in Iowa is $127,309 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.
However, a System Development Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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System Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $138,220 | $11,518 | $2,658 | $66 |
| Average | $127,309 | $10,609 | $2,448 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,277 | $9,773 | $2,255 | $56 |
American Packaging Corporation - Story City, IA
American Packaging Corporation - Story City, IA
McClure Engineering Co - Coralville, IA
McClure Engineering Co - Clive, IA
A System Development 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 System Development 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 System Development Engineer | $80,270 |
| Software ... Level System Development Engineer | $103,301 |
| System De... Level System Development Engineer | $126,506 |
| Software ... Level System Development Engineer | $146,361 |
| Software ... Level System Development Engineer | $168,255 |
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 System Development 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 System Development 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, System Development Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view System Development Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $145,132 | $70.0 | 14% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $142,586 | $69.0 | 12% |
| Internet | $141,313 | $68.0 | 11% |
| Biotechnology | $140,040 | $67.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $138,767 | $67.0 | 9% |
Understanding how a System Development 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 | $138,220 | $11,518 | $2,658 | $66 |
| Average | $127,309 | $10,609 | $2,448 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,277 | $9,773 | $2,255 | $56 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current System Development Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
McClure Engineering Co
Council Bluffs, IA
McClure Engineering Co | Council Bluffs, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Land Development Staff Engineer. McClure is searching for a proven Staff Engineer to be a key player on dyna... more
8 Days Ago
Life Line Emergency Vehicles
Sumner, IA
Life Line Emergency Vehicles | Sumner, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Join the Team That Builds Life-Saving Vehicles. Why Life Line. At Life Line, you won’t just build parts — you’ll help bui... more
10 Days Ago
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc
Waterloo, IA
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc | Waterloo, IA
Job Description. Job Description. RFA Engineering. (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engi... more
7 Days Ago
Liberty Personnel Services, Inc
Coralville, IA
Liberty Personnel Services, Inc | Coralville, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Civil Engineer - Land Development - EIT/PE. Ready to make an impact on your career, client projects and the community. My... more
7 Days Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: FPGA System Architect - Electronics Engineer Location: NRAO Central Development Lab, 1180 Boxwood Estate Rd, CH... more
15 Days Ago
ManTech International
TRIANGLE, VA
ManTech International | TRIANGLE, VA
At ManTech, we are dedicated to enhancing the security and integrity of our nation's technological frameworks. As an Information System Security Engineer, ... more
8 Days Ago
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