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Cobol Developer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Cobol / Mainframe Developer

Milwaukee, WI ยท On-site

$48.25 - $62/hr

Job Title: Cobol / Mainframe Developer Location: Milwaukee, WI This is for a Cobol / Mainframe Developer who would work within Card Management Systems. * Must need to have an experience with ...

Mainframe Developer

Brookfield, WI ยท On-site

$46 - $59/hr

Mainframe Developer Our client, an IT Services and Consulting company, is looking for a Mainframe ... Strong experience in COBOL, JCL, VSAM, DB2 and CICS * Nice to have experience using IDz and GIT

Our company provides application analysis, design, development and programming, software ... COBOL knowledge is primarily looked for * Minimum 6-7 years of Hands on working knowledge in Core ...

Mainframe Developer

Brookfield, WI ยท On-site

$46 - $59/hr

Mainframe Developer Must have 8+ years of experience in Mainframe development. Must have hands on ... Extensive experience on JCL, COBOL, DB2, CICS, VSAM. Must have onshore offshore coordination ...

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COBOL Mainframe Programmer IV

Madison, WI ยท On-site

$49.50 - $63.50/hr

Knowledge of the uses and applications of the COBOL programming language. * Knowledge of the uses and applications of CICS. * Knowledge of the uses and applications of stored procedures. Knowledge of ...

Mainframe COBOL and DB2 development Coding, Unit Testing, Integration testing, and User acceptance ... AS/400 Programmer, VAX Programmer, Client Programmer. Performs all or part of full life cycle ...

Mainframe Programmer

Brookfield, WI ยท On-site

$40 - $54/hr

Mainframe COBOL * DB2 * JCL Preferred Skills/Experience (Nice-to-Haves) * 5+ years of experience ... Experience as an AS/400 Programmer, VAX Programmer, or HP Programmer * Proficient in full software ...

Cloud Data Engineer (Onsite)

Monroe, WI ยท On-site

$52.50 - $70.25/hr

You will leverage cloud computing, big data technologies, and DevOps practices within an Amazon Web ... This role is critical in transforming traditional data ecosystems--including COBOL and JCL-based ...

Cloud Data Engineer (Onsite)

Monroe, WI ยท On-site

$52.50 - $70.25/hr

You will leverage cloud computing, big data technologies, and DevOps practices within an Amazon Web ... This role is critical in transforming traditional data ecosystems--including COBOL and JCL-based ...

... cobol, tivoli, workday integration, workday, servicenow, business analysis, project management Top Skills Details mainframe, cobol, tivoli, workday integration, workday Additional Skills ...

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Cobol Developer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$10

$56

$73

How much do cobol developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol developer in Wisconsin is $56.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.75 and $66.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are COBOL jobs still in demand?

COBOL developer roles are still in demand in industries such as banking, finance, and government, where legacy systems rely on COBOL. These jobs often require knowledge of mainframe environments and skills in maintaining and updating existing COBOL applications. While new development is limited, experienced COBOL developers are valued for system modernization projects and legacy system support.

What is a COBOL Developer?

A COBOL Developer is a software programmer who specializes in using the COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) programming language to design, develop, maintain, and troubleshoot business applications. COBOL is a legacy language primarily used in mainframe computing environments, common in industries like banking, insurance, and government. COBOL Developers often work on updating, maintaining, or migrating older systems that are critical to business operations. Their responsibilities may also include analyzing existing code, optimizing performance, and ensuring systems comply with current regulatory and security standards.

How much do COBOL devs get paid?

Cobol developers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior developers with specialized skills in mainframe environments and legacy systems may earn higher salaries, especially in sectors like finance and government. Compensation often includes benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Can you get a job with COBOL?

Yes, there are job opportunities for COBOL developers, especially in industries like banking, finance, and government that rely on legacy mainframe systems. Employers often seek candidates with experience in COBOL programming, mainframe environments, and related tools. While demand is steady, many roles require knowledge of modern integration methods and certifications.

What is the difference between Cobol Developer vs Mainframe Developer?

AspectCobol DeveloperMainframe Developer
Required CredentialsProficiency in COBOL, JCL, DB2Proficiency in COBOL, JCL, DB2, and mainframe tools
Work EnvironmentLegacy systems, mainframe environmentsMainframe systems, enterprise IT infrastructure
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial, insurance, government sectorsFinancial institutions, government agencies, large enterprises
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for mainframe roles involving COBOLBroader role including system administration and maintenance

While both roles involve working with mainframe systems and COBOL, a Cobol Developer primarily focuses on coding and maintaining COBOL applications. A Mainframe Developer may handle a wider range of tasks, including system setup, maintenance, and integration within mainframe environments. The roles often overlap, but Cobol Developers are more specialized in application development.

What are some of the common challenges Cobol Developers face when working with legacy systems?

Cobol Developers often encounter challenges related to maintaining and upgrading legacy systems, such as limited documentation, outdated hardware, and code that was written decades ago by other programmers. Integrating Cobol-based applications with modern technologies and platforms can also require creative problem-solving and strong analytical skills. Collaboration with business analysts and IT teams is essential to accurately translate current business needs into the existing codebase while ensuring system stability and data integrity.

What Does a Cobol Developer Do?

COBOL stands for Common Business-Oriented Language. It is a programming language used in business applications. A COBOL developer works on developing applications using this programming language that operate on an organization's mainframe computers. Businesses use COBOL for large tasks, such as transaction and batch processing. As a COBOL developer, your responsibilities include coding new programs using COBOL or assessing and upgrading existing programs and applications to meet business needs and objectives.

Will AI replace COBOL programmers?

AI is unlikely to fully replace COBOL programmers in the near term because many legacy systems still rely on COBOL, and maintaining or updating these systems requires specialized knowledge. While automation tools can assist with routine tasks, skilled programmers are needed for complex problem-solving, system integration, and ensuring reliability in critical financial and government applications.

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

To thrive as a Cobol Developer, you need strong programming skills in COBOL, a solid understanding of mainframe environments, and experience with legacy systems, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, JCL, DB2, and transaction processing systems is typically required, along with knowledge of version control systems. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help developers troubleshoot issues and collaborate with teams maintaining critical enterprise applications. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure the reliability and modernization of core business systems that depend on COBOL.
What are the most commonly searched types of Cobol Developer jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Cobol Developer jobs in Wisconsin are:
What job categories do people searching Cobol Developer jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Cobol Developer jobs in Wisconsin are:
Infographic showing various Cobol Developer job openings in Wisconsin as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,555 per year, or $56 per hour.
Sr. COBOL Developer

Sr. COBOL Developer

Software Technology Inc

Brookfield, WI โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Full Stack Engineer

Project Scope/Components: This team is shared services โ€“ they support both the product and partner sides of new credit products including brand new credit cards coming to market, rewards processing, first time use bonuses, etc.

Team Breakdown: This is a Production Support BAU team โ€“ there is a small dev presence on the team.

High-Level Individual Duties: Working on a backlog of user stories for production support issues. Will be working on online and batch issues. Will be looking into long-term program fixes rather than just putting a band-aid on the problem. Spike analysis reports.

Must-Haves (Concepts & Tools): COBOL development experience โ€“ should be senior level. Batch and Online. DB2.

Nice-to-Haves (Concepts & Tools): Test automation. JCL.

Required Skills: Basic Qualification: Additional Skills: Background Check: Yes. Drug Screen: Yes.

Notes: HM Info - Looking for a full stack engineer that has experience with Cobol (online and batch), DB2 & JCL for enhancing & ongoing maintenance for existing programs. Responsibilities will include Analysis, Development & Testing for delivering assigned backlog. Resource will join an Agile Journey, team operating in Kanban, so experience in an Agile environment is required. Must be able to work independently. Ideally, resource has experience with Test Automation and IDz tool. Implement and deploy API solutions while demonstrating expertise in a number of areas including cloud computing, API design and development, Public and Private API design and development, cloud messaging, ground-to-cloud connectivity, highly scalable distributed systems. Supports projects and design recommendations that span the entire infrastructure. Contributes to creating strategy and evolvable systems, including guidelines, standards, and policies. Collaborates with business leaders to help define business strategy and align creative information technology systems architecture to support the strategy. This requires a high degree of interaction with business and operations units to understand the functional needs of the system users as well as the various technology teams, both within and outside of US Bank.

Essential Functions: Creates design principles and prepares technical and infrastructure architecture deliverables that meet business requirements and customer needs. Work is conducted in accordance to standards and methodologies and is consistent with the target business architecture strategy. Participates in product design recommendations that span the entire infrastructure framework. Manage and prioritize the product and feature backlog for your products and APIs. Lead the API/Micro-Services solution development and delivery, including hands on development. Responsible for program design, coding, testing, debugging, documentation and preparing detailed specifications from which complex programs will be written. Provide application support, which includes problem research, analysis, resolution, and on-call support. Work with QA/Testing groups to resolve issues and to ensure software quality. Meet with clients to understand their needs and offer consulting services to internal groups.