Software Developers Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $102,510 -23% vs national
Median hourly $49.28
10th percentile $62,880
90th percentile $165,590
Employed locally 270
National median $133,080

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Software Developers
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Waterloo, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,880
    25th
    $82,910
    50th (median)
    $102,510
    75th
    $130,270
    90th
    $165,590

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Software Developers salary vs area income 149% Median Software Developers salary is 49% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Software Developers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,270
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $174,910
    California $170,910
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $169,340
    Washington $166,910
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $163,020

    Nearby metros — Software Developers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $170,910
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $163,020
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $150,880
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $137,350
    District of Columbia $136,040
    Virginia $134,470

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer User Support Specialists $58,320
    Computer Systems Analysts $88,890
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators $78,940
    Computer Occupations, All Other $97,150
    Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers $88,820
    Computer Network Support Specialists $60,720

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Software Developers make per hour in Waterloo?

    The median hourly wage for Software Developers in Waterloo, IA is $49.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.40 or more per hour.

    Is Waterloo above or below average for Software Developers salaries?

    The median Software Developers salary in Waterloo, IA is 23% below the national median of $133,080. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Software Developers in Waterloo?

    Entry-level Software Developers (10th percentile) earn around $62,880 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,910.