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Cobol Developer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Senior Mainframe Developer (COBOL) Location: Primarily Remote Onsite Expectations: Monthly travel to Reston, VA for PI Planning Compensation: $83/HR Employment Type: W2 only About the Role We're ...

Fullstack Agentic AI Engineer

Laurel, MD ยท On-site

$50.25 - $64.50/hr

As a COBOL Mainframe Application Developer, you will work directly with the Department of Labor client personnel as a consultant to support development on their existing Unemployment and Disability ...

z/OS Mainframe Developer (Remote)

Alexandria, VA ยท Remote

$52.50 - $67.50/hr

A degree from an accredited College/University in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline is required. * 8+ years of hands-on experience with COBOL programming on IBM z/OS.

z/OS Mainframe Developer (Remote)

Alexandria, VA ยท On-site +1

$52.50 - $67.50/hr

A degree from an accredited College/University in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline is required. * 8+ years of hands-on experience with COBOL programming on IBM z/OS.

z/OS Mainframe Developer (Remote)

Alexandria, VA ยท Remote

$52.50 - $67.50/hr

A degree from an accredited College/University in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline is required. * 8+ years of hands-on experience with COBOL programming on IBM z/OS.

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA ยท On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Position: Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain) Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week) Note ... The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and IBM ...

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA ยท On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Position: Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain) Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week) Note ... The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and IBM ...

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA ยท On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Position: Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain) Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week) Note ... The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and IBM ...

Mainframe Developer

Chantilly, VA

$50.25 - $64.50/hr

Our company provides application analysis, design, development and programming, software ... Hogan, COBOL, DB2, JCL, VSAM, Mainframe Utilities NOTE: ONLY US CITIZEN's OR GREEN CARD HOLDERS.

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Cobol Developer information

See Washington, DC salary details

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How much do cobol developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol developer in Washington, DC is $62.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54.52 and $73.80 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 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.

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 seek experienced professionals with knowledge of mainframe environments, often requiring skills in COBOL programming, JCL, and related tools. While new development is limited, the need for maintenance and modernization keeps demand steady for qualified Cobol developers.

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 popular job titles related to Cobol Developer jobs in Washington, DC? For Cobol Developer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cobol Developer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Cobol Developer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Cobol Developer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 3% Internship, 78% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 12% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,296 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

COBOL Developer with Security Clearance

Blu Omega LLC

Ashburn, VA โ€ข On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

COBOL Developer Remote Public Trust Eligible Blu Omega is seeking a COBOL Developer to support a federal program focused on debt management for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This role operates within a remote environment and is responsible for supporting legacy mainframe systems and modernization efforts. The position requires experience supporting mainframe applications and working in a government or federal environment. Program Overview Program: Department of Veterans Affairs Debt Management Center (DMC) Mission overview: The DMC manages and collects debts owed by veterans and their beneficiaries, providing debt collection, management, counseling, and account services. Key Details Location: Remote Clearance: Public Trust Eligible Work Authorization: Employee must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future. Responsibilities * Maintain VSAM files and associated index support * Support current CARS batch jobs and troubleshoot transfer issues with external partners using SFTP, FTPS, and Connect-Direct * Resolve data issues such as incomplete, missing, or duplicate files * Refactor nightly ETL processes for robustness and error handling * Refactor batch processes into discrete transactions to support real-time updates and modernized APIs * Work with mainframe developers and operators to maintain and enhance CARS and CAROLS systems * Analyze COBOL and JCL to document business rules and refactor code accordingly Required Qualifications * Proven experience as a Mainframe Senior COBOL Developer * Knowledge of COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, and related mainframe technologies * Familiarity with mainframe communication and APIs (e.g., CICS Transaction Gateway, z/OS Connect) * Excellent analytical, organization, and problem-solving skills * Strong verbal and written communication skills Preferred Qualifications * VA or other Federal Government experience * Experience with Agile frameworks and regression testing * Knowledge of APIs (REST, RPC) * Experience with mainframe modernization efforts * Experience with CMMI Maturity Level 3, ISO 9001:2015, or ITIL Compensation Salary Range: $85,000-95,000 Final compensation is based on technical skills, experience, education, certifications, and clearance. Blu Omega Benefits & Perks * Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage through national providers * 401(k) with company match (eligible after 6 months; vesting applies) * Company-paid Life and AD&D insurance with additional voluntary options * Short-term disability (company-paid) and long-term disability options * Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with 24/7 confidential support and mental health resources * Telehealth and virtual care options available through medical plans * Pet insurance, legal services, and identity theft protection options * Paid Time Off (PTO) for eligible employees * Paid federal holidays for salaried employees * Access to wellness programs, discounts, and lifestyle benefits * Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on role, employment status, and program requirements. Company Overview Blu Omega is a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) delivering technology and cybersecurity solutions to federal agencies and enterprise clients nationwide. Headquartered in Ashburn, VA, we support mission-critical programs across civilian and defense sectors, including health, national security, and regulatory environments. We partner with government agencies and large integrators to provide expertise in cybersecurity operations, cloud and infrastructure modernization, data and analytics, and enterprise IT support. Our teams are experienced operating within federal contracting environments, supporting task orders, recompetes, and programs requiring cleared personnel and compliant delivery. Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. #CJ #LI-Remote