How Much Does a Programming Engineer Make in Des Moines, IA ? (2026 Salary Guide)

Programming Engineer Salary in Des Moines, IA

As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Programming Engineer in Des Moines, IA is $139,385, equivalent to $67 per hour, $2,680 weekly, or $11,615 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Programming Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Programming Engineer in Des Moines, IA vary widely, spanning from $118,067 to $161,973. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($128,226) and 75th percentile ($151,208), while top earners (90th percentile) make $161,973 per year. This $22,982 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Software Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Des Moines Programming Engineer often earn 2.5% lower than national averages. However, Des Moines currently ranks 423 statewide for Programming Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

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Programming Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $118,067 Des Moines, IA April 01, 2026
25th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $128,226 Des Moines, IA April 01, 2026
50th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $139,385 Des Moines, IA April 01, 2026
75th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $151,208 Des Moines, IA April 01, 2026
90th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $161,973 Des Moines, IA April 01, 2026
25% $128,226 10% $118,067 90% $161,973 75% $151,208 $139,385 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is a Programming Engineer ?

Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build, and test machines, systems, structures and materials to fulfill objectives and requirements while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. The word engineer (Latin ingeniator) is derived from the Latin words ingeniare ("to create, generate, contrive, devise") and ingenium ("cleverness"). The foundational qualifications of an engineer typically include a four-year bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, or in some jurisdictions, a master's degree in...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/18/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Job Openings for Programming Engineer in Des Moines, IA

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Software Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Programming Engineer

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Software Engineer IV

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

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Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Programming Engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
128226
151208
139385

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
139962
171698
155058
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Programming Engineer in Des Moines, IA. The base salary for Programming Engineer ranges from $128,226 to $151,208 with the average base salary of $139,385. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $139,962 to $171,698 with the average total cash compensation of $155,058.

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128226
151208

 

About Des Moines, Iowa    Des Moines (/dɪˈmɔɪn/ (listen)) is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A smal....More

Des Moines, Iowa  area prices were up 0.8% from a year ago

Programming Engineer Salary in popular cities: Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City

Skills associated with Programming Engineer: Design, Machining

Recently searched related titles: Application Software Engineer, Controls Software Engineer, Delivery Software Engineer

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

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