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Cobol Programmer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

As a Full-Stack Software Engineer at Cottingham & Butler, you will play a crucial role in building and maintaining web applications for both internal and external users. Additionally, you will ...

Software Engineer

Johnston, IA · On-site

$85K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Software Engineer, you will be responsible for supporting the development, maintenance and improvement of software applications with minimal guidance from more experienced engineers. This ...

GitHub Copilot, Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT) - Familiarity with AI directed prompt engineering for developing applications. Requirements: - Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Computer Science, Engineering ...

We value engineers who are curious, collaborative, and committed to making an impact for thousands of job seekers. We are an AI-native team. We actively use AI coding assistants (e.g., Claude Code ...

Software Engineer

Ames, IA

$45 - $60/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Software Engineer This role leads the design, implementation, and testing of innovative software solutions that exceed customer needs, with a strong focus on Linux-based embedded systems and modern C ...

Software Engineer

Johnston, IA · On-site

$85K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Software Engineer, you will be responsible for supporting the development, maintenance and improvement of software applications with minimal guidance from more experienced engineers. This ...

Software Engineer III

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$85 - $134/hr

Responsibilities Engineering & Delivery * Design, build, and maintain services and integrations within the Domain Integrations space * Contribute to decoupling initiatives using Domain Driven Design ...

Cottingham & Butler is seeking a highly motivated Software Engineer with deep AI expertise to join our IT team. This role is central to our mission of transforming how we deliver brokerage, claims ...

Showing results 21-40

Cobol Programmer information

See Iowa salary details

$37

$54

$89

How much do cobol programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol programmer in Iowa is $54.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.62 and $63.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cobol Programmer vs Mainframe Developer?

AspectCobol ProgrammerMainframe Developer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in computer science or related field; familiarity with COBOLSimilar credentials; often requires knowledge of COBOL and mainframe systems
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in legacy system maintenance, often in financial or government sectorsWorks on mainframe systems, including hardware and software components
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial institutions, government agencies, insurance companiesBanking, insurance, government, and large enterprises using mainframe systems
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles involve working with COBOL and mainframe systems, a Cobol Programmer mainly focuses on coding, debugging, and maintaining COBOL applications. A Mainframe Developer has a broader scope, including system integration, hardware, and software management within mainframe environments. Both roles are essential in legacy system operations, often overlapping in skills and industry usage.

What is a Cobol programmer?

COBOL Programmers are software developers who specialize in writing, maintaining, and updating programs using the COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) programming language. COBOL is widely used in legacy business, finance, and administrative systems, especially on mainframe computers. COBOL Programmers are often responsible for ensuring these critical systems continue to function efficiently, troubleshooting issues, and modernizing code to integrate with newer technologies. Their work is essential in industries like banking, insurance, and government, where COBOL-based applications remain vital.

What are some common challenges faced by Cobol programmers working with legacy systems?

COBOL Programmers often encounter challenges such as limited or outdated documentation, making it difficult to understand and maintain legacy code. Additionally, integrating COBOL applications with modern technologies can require creative problem-solving and specialized middleware. Team collaboration is crucial, as programmers frequently work with business analysts and system architects to translate business processes into code and ensure system reliability. Staying current with evolving regulatory and security requirements is also a key part of this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cobol programmer?

A Cobol Programmer should have a strong grasp of COBOL programming, mainframe systems, and experience with legacy codebases, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as IBM z/OS, JCL, CICS, and database management systems like DB2 is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure reliable maintenance and enhancement of critical business applications that many organizations still depend on.

How much do Cobol programmers make?

Cobol programmers' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but they typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually. Senior or specialized programmers with certifications and extensive experience can earn higher salaries, especially in industries like finance and government that rely heavily on legacy systems.

How to become a Cobol programmer?

COBOL is a programming language used to write code for software programs. It stands for Common Business-Oriented Language and is most commonly used in business and financial applications. You do not need a degree to become a COBOL programmer, but many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, management information systems, or a related field. Focus your coursework in programming languages, code development, and software development. Other COBOL programmers learn the coding language on their own through online courses or programs at vocational schools or community colleges. Obtain an internship or part-time job that enables you to learn COBOL and other programming languages. Since many administrative offices and business organizations use COBOL programming, you may want to take some administrative courses to gain an inside perspective on the industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cobol Programmer jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Cobol Programmer jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Cobol Programmer jobs in Iowa?

For Cobol Programmer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cobol Programmer jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Cobol Programmer jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Cobol Programmer jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Cobol Programmer job openings:

Infographic showing various Cobol Programmer job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 76% In-person, 19% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,802 per year, or $54.7 per hour.

Software Engineer

Cottingham & Butler

Dubuque, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Cottingham & Butler rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

90th of 307 rated insurance


Job description

Cottingham & Butler is looking to add to our Software Engineering team! As a Full-Stack Software Engineer at Cottingham & Butler, you will play a crucial role in building and maintaining web applications for both internal and external users. Additionally, you will develop applications tailored for internal use, contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design, develop, and maintain web applications.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and ship new features.
  • Ensure the performance, quality, and responsiveness of applications.
  • Identify and correct bottlenecks and fix bugs.
  • Help maintain code quality, organization, and automation.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum 3-5 years of applicable engineering experience.
  • Experience with programming languages and frameworks such as ASP.NET including Blazor, SQL, JavaScript, and AWS.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Why Join Us?

  • Innovative Environment: Our programmers enjoy the latitude to explore and implement creative solutions.
  • Career Growth: This role offers significant opportunities to learn, get involved and grow your career.
  • Supportive Leadership: Our management team values and encourages the creativity and innovation that our engineers bring to the table.

About Cottingham & Butler:

At Cottingham & Butler, we sell a promise to help our clients through life's toughest moments. To deliver on that promise, we aim to hire, train, and grow the best professionals in the industry. We look for people with an insatiable desire to succeed, are committed to growing, and thrive on challenges. Our culture is guided by the theme of "better every day" constantly pushing ourselves to be better than yesterday – that's who we are and what we believe in.

As an organization, we are tremendously optimistic about the future and have incredibly high expectations for our people and our performance. Our ability to grow as a company, fuels investments in new resources to better serve our clients and provide the amazing career opportunities our employees want and deserve. This is why we are a growth company and why we are committed to being better every day.

Want to learn more? Follow us on www.CottinghamButler.com | LinkedIn | Facebook


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