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Cobol Developer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe CICS Systems Engineer

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$52 - $66.75/hr

Assembler, COBOL and REXX coding and knowledge of CICS Exits Web application support in a CICS TS ... Application programming experience a plus. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY: At Morgan ...

Software Developer Job Details Software Development Engineer with minimum 5 years of continuous development experience using C#.Net 5.0 with Visual Studio 2012 or higher, capable of implementing ...

Senior Software Developer

Canby, OR ยท On-site

$57 - $75.25/hr

Our software engineering team plays a key role in enabling growth, operational excellence, and innovation across the company. We are looking for engineers who enjoy solving real business problems ...

Senior Software Developer

Canby, OR ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Our software engineering team plays a key role in enabling growth, operational excellence, and innovation across the company. We are looking for engineers who enjoy solvingreal businessproblems ...

Senior Developer Technology Engineer - AI

Hillsboro, OR ยท Hybrid

$59.25 - $78.50/hr

We're currently seeking a Senior Developer Technology Engineer, Artificial Intelligence. Would you enjoy researching parallel algorithms to accelerate AI workloads on advanced computer architectures.

Senior Developer Technology Engineer - AI

Hillsboro, OR ยท Hybrid

$59.25 - $78.50/hr

We're currently seeking a Senior Developer Technology Engineer, Artificial Intelligence! Would you enjoy researching parallel algorithms to accelerate AI workloads on advanced computer architectures?

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Cobol Developer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$11

$58

$77

How much do cobol developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol developer in Portland, OR is $58.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.25 and $69.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Is there a demand for Cobol developers?

Cobol developers are still in demand for maintaining and updating legacy systems in industries such as banking, finance, and government. Many organizations require expertise in Cobol for critical mainframe applications, and experienced developers with knowledge of mainframe environments and tools are sought after. However, the overall demand is stable but limited compared to newer programming languages.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cobol Developer jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Cobol Developer jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Cobol Developer jobs in Portland, OR?

For Cobol Developer jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cobol Developer jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Cobol Developer jobs in Portland, OR are:

Infographic showing various Cobol Developer job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,462 per year, or $58.9 per hour.

Looking For_____Mainframe SME Developer (W2 Position)

Anveta Inc

Portland, OR โ€ข On-site

$52 - $66.75/hr

Other

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Mainframe SME Developer (W2 Position)
Location: Portland,OR(Onsite)
Duration: 6+ Months


Job Description:
Need 6+ years of experience as a Mainframe SME 
Responsible for providing the documentation of the AS IS Warranty Interfaces/ Screens/ Jobs usage with IMS.
Responsible for extracting the logic behind the IMS Screens for the IMS replacement strategy.
Work with the Project and Product teams on integration development and testing efforts.
Responsible for status reporting on assigned tasks.
Strong experience in IMS DB and IMS DC is required.
Good to have knowledge of CICS.
General knowledge of COBOL, JCL, DB2, and VSAM is required.
Project rollout and project management experience is a plus.