Top 10 Highest Paying Tech Companies in Des Moines, IA in 2026

Table of Contents

• Discover Des Moines' High-Paying Tech Landscape
• Workiva
• John Deere
• Wells Fargo
• Athene
• Principal Financial Group
• Corteva Agriscience
• Nationwide Insurance
• Hy-Vee
• Dwolla
• Voya Financial
• Choosing Your High-Paying Tech Job
• Frequently Asked Questions

Workiva

Topping our list is the homegrown SaaS success story, Workiva. Its compensation structure most closely mirrors that of a coastal tech giant, with a heavy emphasis on equity (RSUs) that vests over four years. For staff engineers, equity can comprise over $100K of the total package, a major differentiator in the Des Moines market.

The real prize here is long-term growth potential. Senior and Staff roles have seen their equity components increase by roughly 12% to compete with national remote tech firms. This means carefully modeling the potential value of those RSUs is crucial when comparing offers.

Beyond compensation, Workiva is highly rated for its people-first culture, earning 4.3 stars on Glassdoor specifically for leadership and flexibility. According to detailed compensation data on Levels.fyi, it represents the classic tech trade-off: significant, vesting equity for the potential of a much larger cumulative payoff.

John Deere

John Deere has aggressively transformed its Urbandale presence into a hub for its Intelligent Solutions Group, focusing on autonomy, AI, and precision agriculture. With leveling and compensation designed to compete nationally, it's identified by salary data on Levels.fyi as the highest-paying company for software engineers in the Des Moines area, offering an average total compensation of $115,000.

The benefit here extends beyond strong cash compensation. While companies like Workiva offer equity for potential growth, John Deere provides exceptional, pension-style retirement benefits that represent immense long-term value and Midwestern job security. This creates a rare combination of cutting-edge AgTech work and stability.

For those passionate about solving real-world problems with robotics and AI, from autonomous tractors to predictive crop modeling, this represents a premier career terrain. According to industry salary reports, compensation at these senior levels makes Deere a consistent top payer, offering a "Big Tech" package rooted in Iowa's agricultural legacy.

Wells Fargo

As a major regional operations and technology hub, Wells Fargo provides the structured predictability of a legacy financial institution with compensation that becomes truly competitive at senior levels. The company maintains a consistent, level-based pay scale that offers clear career progression paths for engineers specializing in cybersecurity, large-scale transaction systems, or regulatory technology.

The compensation jump to the Lead (L4) level is where total packages shine, often reaching $163K to $217K through a significant increase in bonus and equity components. This structured ladder is confirmed by detailed data on Levels.fyi, which shows Wells Fargo as a top payer in the Des Moines financial services sector. For senior roles, average total compensation is reported around $156,000, providing a strong benchmark for finance tech in the region.

Beyond the salary bands, Wells Fargo offers the stability of a large-scale employer with strong traditional benefits, including a 6% 401(k) match. This combination makes its Des Moines hub a powerhouse for tech professionals who value a clear promotion trajectory and want to work on systems that impact millions of customers, all within a market known for its lower cost of living.

Athene

Headquartered in West Des Moines, Athene stands out as a retirement services firm that defies the traditional insurance company pay scale. It has been aggressively recruiting senior and specialized tech talent, offering compensation packages that often surprise those familiar with the sector. This drive is fueled by competition for expertise in data engineering, actuarial technology, and cloud infrastructure.

The compensation here is notably cash-heavy. While a company like Workiva packages significant value in long-term equity, Athene focuses on high immediate take-home pay. According to aggregated data from Levels.fyi, senior developers command total compensation ranging from $148K to $176K, with software architect roles surpassing $201K. The median package for experienced software engineers is reported between $176K and $195K.

This approach makes Athene a compelling option for specialists who prioritize liquidity and high base compensation over the potential upside of startup equity or vested RSUs. For fintech-oriented roles in particular, salary reports on Indeed confirm it pays at the very top of the local Des Moines market, representing the high-value, cash-centric end of the region's compensation spectrum.

Principal Financial Group

Headquartered in the heart of Des Moines, Principal Financial Group represents the steady, reliable backbone of the local tech economy. It offers a compelling blend of stability, strong internal growth potential, and compensation that has been steadily rising to meet competitive market demands. As a cornerstone of the business community, Principal provides an unparalleled local network and the headquarters advantage for career development.

Compensation here is structured and clear. For a mid-level Software Engineer 3, total compensation ranges from $103K to $118K, while a Senior SE 1 commands $145K to $157K, with a base salary between $131K-$141K and a bonus component. According to detailed leveling data on Levels.fyi, this shows a clear and predictable path from mid to senior roles, making it an excellent choice for methodical career builders.

While equity is generally reserved for senior leadership, Principal has demonstrated responsiveness to market pressures. Base salaries saw a deliberate ~5% increase in 2025 to track inflation and regional competition, highlighting a commitment to retaining talent through stable growth rather than flashy spikes. This approach, combined with high marks for company culture and consistent IT hiring, makes Principal a defining part of the Des Moines career terrain for those valuing long-term progression.

Corteva Agriscience

A global AgTech leader with a significant R&D and digital footprint in Iowa, Corteva Agriscience represents where cutting-edge technology meets the world's most fundamental industry. It's a premier destination for tech professionals passionate about data science, machine learning, and sustainability, offering highly competitive compensation for these specialized roles.

The company's compensation reflects the high demand for its niche expertise. For data engineers focused on building pipelines for agricultural analytics, the average total compensation is approximately $121,000, according to local salary data on Glassdoor. For senior AI and machine learning roles tackling predictive agriculture, total compensation can range from $145K to $180K.

The work itself involves solving massive-scale, real-world problems in genomics, climate modeling, and supply chain logistics. Corteva's presence elevates the entire Des Moines tech market, demonstrating that high-value tech careers aren't confined to finance and insurance. As highlighted among the top tech companies in Des Moines by Built In, AgTech is a growing and well-funded sector locally, offering a unique career path where code directly impacts global food security and sustainability.

Nationwide Insurance

With a substantial technology presence in Des Moines, Nationwide Insurance offers a distinct value proposition: competitive compensation actively balanced with a strong emphasis on work-life balance and professional development. This makes it a standout for technical professionals who seek high earning potential without the relentless pace sometimes associated with pure tech firms.

The compensation packages validate this approach. For senior software engineers, total compensation ranges from $101K to $154K, with high performers earning bonuses around $23,000. The tier for principal engineers is particularly strong, reaching $171K to $184K in total compensation. This data, supported by reports on Comparably, makes Nationwide a viable top-tier option for individual contributors who want to advance in the insurance tech domain without relocating to a coastal hub.

Beyond the numbers, the company is frequently praised for its supportive culture and investment in employee growth, including generous learning stipends. According to broader industry compensation data, this combination of competitive pay, structured advancement, and emphasis on balance solidifies Nationwide's role as a key player in the Des Moines tech terrain for those building a sustainable, long-term career.

Hy-Vee

Operating its Hy-Vee Technology Center (HST) like a tech startup within the beloved Midwest retail giant, Hy-Vee offers a unique proposition in the Des Moines market: robust, cash-heavy salaries focused on solving the immense real-time data challenges of modern grocery and retail. This model provides strong base salary stability with less reliance on the volatile equity components found at companies like Workiva.

Compensation at HST is competitive for the scale of problems tackled. Mid-level software engineers can expect total compensation in the range of $105K to $125K, while senior engineers command $140K to $165K. This positions Hy-Vee as a significant player, particularly for those interested in the complex intersection of e-commerce, logistics, and personalized customer engagement at a massive scale.

Beyond the salary, the package includes highly practical benefits like substantial employee discounts and a flexible hybrid work model, enhancing the already powerful cost-of-living advantage in Des Moines. As a company featured among the top tech employers listed by Built In, Hy-Vee's tech arm proves that high-value engineering work isn't limited to software or finance companies - it's also happening in the aisles and supply chains of a hometown retailer, offering a unique blend of stability and innovation.

Dwolla

As a foundational FinTech scale-up in Des Moines, Dwolla represents the high-growth, entrepreneurial end of the region's high-paying tech spectrum. Its compensation structure embodies the classic startup trade-off, mixing regionally competitive salaries with the potential long-term upside of early-stage stock options.

For a Software Engineer II, total compensation ranges from $100K to $130K, while senior engineers command packages between $145K and $175K. The key differentiator lies in the equity component. Unlike the RSUs offered by a mature public company like Workiva, Dwolla provides stock options - a bet on the company's future growth and a potential for significant financial reward if the company succeeds.

This model is ideal for those drawn to the fast-paced world of payments innovation and willing to accept slightly less guaranteed cash upfront for a potentially larger outcome later. As a company featured among the top FinTech companies in Des Moines by Built In, Dwolla offers a direct path into the heart of the city's growing startup ecosystem. It's the career terrain for builders and risk-takers who want to shape a company's trajectory while benefiting from Des Moines's lower living costs.

Voya Financial

Maintaining a significant technology operation in the area, Voya Financial distinguishes itself with highly competitive compensation for specialized technical leadership, particularly in cloud architecture, DevOps, and infrastructure. This focus places them as a strong contender for senior engineers and architects who prioritize deep technical expertise over managerial tracks.

Compensation packages at Voya are notably robust for these critical roles. For software engineers, total compensation typically ranges from $118K to $148K, according to salary data on Glassdoor. The real strength appears at more senior levels, where technical leads command a strong base salary starting above $114,000, and specialized senior engineers or architects can see total compensation packages reaching $232,000 or more, as indicated by industry reports.

Like other major players in the Des Moines financial and insurance sector, such as Athene or Principal, Voya's packages are typically weighted toward base salary and performance bonuses rather than long-term equity. This structure provides high, predictable income for technical experts. Data from Indeed on Technical Lead salaries confirms Voya's competitive standing, offering a clear path for individual contributors who want to be rewarded handsomely for their deep technical skills within the stable framework of a established financial services company.

Choosing Your High-Paying Tech Job

Choosing between high-paying opportunities in Des Moines requires looking beyond the top-line numbers. Here’s how to evaluate offers like a savvy local, considering the full value of your compensation package and the unique advantages of the market.

1. Equity vs. Cash vs. Benefits: A $180K offer from Workiva, heavy on RSUs, differs fundamentally from a $175K cash-heavy package from Athene. Model equity value conservatively over the four-year vesting period, and don’t overlook the long-term value of benefits like John Deere’s pension-style 401(k). Always ask about refresher grants and the cumulative four-year value.

2. The Iowa Tax Advantage: Iowa’s progressive state income tax has a top rate of 5.7%, a tangible benefit compared to high-tax coastal states. Your take-home pay on a $150K salary is significantly higher here, making after-tax comparisons essential when weighing offers from different regions.

3. Cost-of-Living is Your Superpower: Des Moines’s cost of living isn’t just lower than the coasts; it’s 11% lower than Minneapolis and 35% lower than Chicago. This means a $130K salary here affords a quality of life - like home ownership - that requires $180K+ in Chicago or $220K+ in San Francisco. The region’s status as a Top 20 Tech City for IT jobs is bolstered by this profound affordability.

4. Negotiate with Context: Arm yourself with precise local data from sources like Levels.fyi for Des Moines. In this competitive market, you can often negotiate for a higher base salary or a stronger signing bonus, especially with competing offers. For roles involving equity, ensure you understand the strike price and latest 409A valuation.

The blue ribbon is just the beginning. In Des Moines, the highest-paying tech job is the one that aligns with your career terrain - whether you value the growth potential of equity, the solid ground of cash and pensions, or the mission-driven work of AgTech and InsurTech.

Frequently Asked Questions