1

Cobol Application Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cobol Developer

Albany, NY · On-site

$50 - $67.50/hr

Cobol Developer Location: Albany, NY(Hybrid) Job Type: Contract W2 Top Skills - Must Haves Cobol ... in application development and support of legacy applications utilizing multiple languages ...

COBOL Developer

Woodlawn, MD · On-site

$52.25 - $70.75/hr

COBOL Developer We are seeking experienced COBOL Developers to support a large federal technology ... Document technical changes, system updates, and application logic. Support modernization efforts ...

COBOL Developer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$49 - $66.25/hr

We are seeking a seasoned COBOL Developer with 6+ years of experience in mainframe application development and support . The ideal candidate should have strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, DB2, and ...

Cobol developer

Albany, NY · Remote

$51.50 - $69.50/hr

Systems Developer- Develops and implements applications and programs for the backend processing ... Analysis, design and development of modifications for the WMS application using COBOL * Perform ...

Cobol developer

Albany, NY · Remote

$51.50 - $69.50/hr

Systems Developer- Develops and implements applications and programs for the backend processing ... Analysis, design and development of modifications for the WMS application using COBOL * Perform ...

This position will be called upon to understand and diagnose OS2200 COBOL application problems to ... Provide support for application developers and batch scheduling staff with the use of the OS2200 ...

COBOL Developer Location: Atlanta, GA Engagement Type: Contract Work Mode: Onsite Duration ... Identify data errors through application logic and produce summary reports with IBM/Microsoft tools ...

Cobol Developer

Springfield, IL

$49.75 - $67.50/hr

An experienced developer with mainframe/COBOL experience to work in business application development. Environment and tools are IBM Mainframe platform, z/OS operating system, TSO/ISPF and DB2.

Microfocus Cobol Developer

GA · Remote

$51.50 - $69.50/hr

MICROFOCUS COBOL DEVELOPER About the Role: We are seeking an experienced COBOL Developer with deep ... Participate in disaster recovery planning and execution for PBM application Requirements:

COBOL Developer

Reading, PA · On-site

$48.25 - $65.25/hr

Stefanini is looking for a COBOL Developer in Reading, PA or Athens, AL For quick apply, please ... application, and strategic staffing services to Fortune 1000 enterprises around the world. Our ...

COBOL Developer

Reading, PA · On-site

$48.25 - $65.25/hr

Stefanini is looking for a COBOL Developer in Reading, PA or Athens, AL For quick apply, please ... application, and strategic staffing services to Fortune 1000 enterprises around the world. Our ...

COBOL Developer

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$48 - $65/hr

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in COBOL programming and a robust ... California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Notice As part of the application and recruitment process ...

COBOL Developer

Reading, PA

$48.25 - $65.25/hr

Stefanini is looking for a COBOL Developer in Reading, PA or Athens, AL For quick apply, please ... application, and strategic staffing services to Fortune 1000 enterprises around the world. Our ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Cobol Application Developer information

See salary details

$45

$57

$67

How much do cobol application developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol application developer in the United States is $57.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50.48 and $67.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by COBOL Application Developers when working with legacy systems?

COBOL Application Developers often encounter challenges such as limited or outdated documentation, which can make understanding existing codebases difficult. Additionally, integrating COBOL systems with modern technologies and ensuring compatibility with new infrastructure can be complex. Working on legacy systems may also involve troubleshooting long-standing issues and collaborating closely with business analysts and system administrators to ensure business continuity. Staying adaptable and resourceful is key to overcoming these challenges and delivering effective solutions.

How much do COBOL devs get paid?

Cobol application developers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior developers with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in financial or government sectors where legacy systems are prevalent.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a COBOL Application Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a COBOL Application Developer, you need expertise in COBOL programming, mainframe systems, and a solid background in software development, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with mainframe tools like IBM z/OS, JCL, CICS, DB2, and source control systems is crucial, along with knowledge of modern integration tools. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help developers collaborate with cross-functional teams and address complex legacy code issues. These skills ensure reliable maintenance and modernization of mission-critical business applications that depend on COBOL, supporting organizational continuity.

What is a COBOL Application Developer?

A COBOL Application Developer is a software professional who specializes in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining applications written in the COBOL programming language. COBOL, which stands for Common Business-Oriented Language, is primarily used in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments. These developers often work on legacy systems, updating and integrating them with modern technologies to ensure smooth business operations. They play a crucial role in maintaining mission-critical applications that handle large-scale transaction processing.

What is the difference between Cobol Application Developer vs Mainframe Developer?

AspectCobol Application DeveloperMainframe Developer
Required CredentialsTypically requires a degree in computer science or related field, with knowledge of COBOLOften requires similar degrees, with additional skills in mainframe environments
Work EnvironmentPrimarily develops and maintains COBOL applications, often in banking, finance, or government sectorsWorks on mainframe systems, handling legacy applications and infrastructure
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by organizations maintaining legacy systems, especially in finance and insuranceCommon in industries relying on mainframe systems like banking, government, and large enterprises

While both roles involve working with mainframe systems and COBOL, a Cobol Application Developer focuses mainly on developing and updating COBOL applications, whereas a Mainframe Developer may handle broader mainframe infrastructure and legacy system management.

Are COBOL programmers still in demand?

COBOL application developers are still in demand in industries such as banking, finance, and government that rely on legacy systems. Many organizations seek experienced programmers to maintain, update, and modernize these systems, often requiring knowledge of mainframe environments and debugging skills. However, the overall demand is declining as newer technologies replace legacy platforms.

Is COBOL being phased out?

COBOL application developers work with a programming language that is still in use, especially in legacy systems within banking, government, and insurance sectors. While new development in COBOL has decreased, many organizations continue to maintain and update existing COBOL applications, and demand for skilled developers remains stable due to the complexity of migrating legacy systems. Knowledge of COBOL, along with modern tools and integration skills, can be valuable for job stability in this field.

Will AI replace COBOL?

As a Cobol Application Developer, it is unlikely that AI will fully replace COBOL programmers in the near term, as many legacy systems still rely on COBOL for critical financial and government applications. AI tools can assist with code maintenance and modernization, but human expertise remains essential for complex system updates and troubleshooting. Continuous learning of related skills like modernization tools and understanding legacy environments is important for job security.
More about Cobol Application Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Cobol Application Developer jobs? Cities with the most Cobol Application Developer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Cobol Application Developer jobs? For Cobol Application Developer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Senior COBOL Developer

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Overview:
DAILY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. ANALYZE THE SCDMV PHOENIX II, WEB SERVICE, AND BATCH BUSINESS APPLICATIONS
2. TAKE THE LEAD IN ANALYZING AND TROUBLE-SHOOTING ASSIGNED SYSTEM PROBLEMS
3. PROPOSE SOLUTIONS
4. CODE, TEST, PROMOTE, AND INTERACT WITH IMPACTED USERS ENSURING THAT SOLUTION MEETS
REQUIREMENTS.
5. PROVIDE DAILY AND WEEKLY STATUS TO THE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER.
Required Skills (rank in order of
Importance):
• COBOL development with
MICROFOCUS Visual COBOL
Preferred Skills (rank in order of
Importance):
• Visual Studio 2019 and higher -
Debugging
• IIS configuration/setup
using Visual Studio 2019/2022 in
Windows Server 2022 under IIS.
• MICROFOCUS Visual
COBOL V7, V9, or higher
strongly preferred
• Accessing Oracle and MS SQL
Server enterprise databases from
within the programming (COBOL)
platform.
• Crafting SQL statements to
support required system
functionality.
• Microsoft Team Foundation
Server
• Microsoft C# .NET
• Application programming against
RDBMS (Oracle, SQL).
• SQL for Oracle DB.
REQUIRED EDUCATION:
PREFER BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RELATED
DISCIPLINE WITH 8 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OR
MINIMUM 10 YEARS RELATED EXPERIENCE.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:
NOT REQUIRED BUT MS TECHNICAL
CERTIFICATIONS WILL BE FACTORED IN THE
SELECTION PROCESS.
MICROFOCUS CERTIFICATIONS ARE A
SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE
Skills:
MICROFOCUS Visual COBOL,COBOL V7, V9