SOC 15-1252 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Software Developers — Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Cedar Rapids, IA is $114,340 a year, trailing the national median of $135,980 by 15.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Cedar Rapids, IA is $114,340 a year, trailing the national median of $135,980 by 15.9%. Half of workers earn between $84,310 and $140,010. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $70,070 and the ninetieth at $161,810.
Employment stands at 1,250, or 9.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ames records the highest median at $129,440. Of the 391 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 23rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,070 | −48.5% |
| 25th | $84,310 | −38.0% |
| Median (50th) | $114,340 | −15.9% |
| 75th | $140,010 | +3.0% |
| 90th | $161,810 | +19.0% |
| Mean | $116,430 | −14.4% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $129,440 | 470 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $126,460 | 4,240 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $115,780 | 1,220 | |
| 4 | Waterloo | $113,970 | 280 | |
| 5 | Iowa City | $107,680 | 690 | |
| 6 | Dubuque | $105,360 | 330 | |
| 7 | Sioux City | $101,150 | 230 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cedar Rapids run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $114,340 goes as far as $130,228 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$114,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$130,228US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $114,340 a year, 15.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $70,070 to $161,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,250 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ames, at $129,440.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Software Developers in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median annual wage is $114,340, or $54.97 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $135,980, so pay in Cedar Rapids, IA is 15.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Cedar Rapids, IA earns more than $161,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $70,070 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Ames, at $129,440 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,250 jobs in this occupation in Cedar Rapids, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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