ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cobol Programmer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Cottingham & Butler

AI Software Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

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 ...

Cottingham & Butler

AI Software Engineer

Dubuque, IA

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 ...

DHI Group, Inc.

Software Engineer - Dice

Denver, IA

As a Software Engineer, you'll build and ship features in a modern, cloud-native stack that reaches thousands of job seekers and recruiters, and you'll grow on a team that treats AI as a core part of ...

Aegon

Specialist Software Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Summary The Specialist Software Engineer is focused on the design and development of web and cloud technologies to support an agile digital business. Helps define web and cloud strategies, grow ...

Transamerica

Specialist Software Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Summary The Specialist Software Engineer is focused on the design and development of web and cloud technologies to support an agile digital business. Helps define web and cloud strategies, grow ...

Integrity

Software Engineer I

Urbandale, IA · On-site

They are seeking a Software Engineer I to build and maintain full-stack web applications, design RESTful APIs, and collaborate with teams to ensure code quality and application performance.

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsCobol Programmer JobsCobol Programmer Jobs in Iowa

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.

More about Cobol Programmer jobs

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:

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

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

Cobol Programmer jobs near you
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.

AI Software Engineer

Cottingham & Butler

Dubuque, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 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 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, and client service experiences by harnessing artificial intelligence. You will design, build, and deploy AI-powered systems and tools that streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and unlock new levels of productivity across the enterprise.
This is a foundational hire for our AI capability and will work directly with business and technology leaders to identify, prototype, and scale AI solutions that matter.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design and develop AI-augmented tools and workflows.
  • Architect intelligent agents to access insights and automate tasks.
  • Integrate AI models into software applications to solve business-related problems.
  • Develop scalable and robust AI infrastructures.
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest AI trends and technologies.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand needs and devise AI solutions.
  • Ensure ethical guidelines and standards are maintained in AI developments.

Skills & Qualifications
  • Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or R.
  • Strong understanding of machine learning algorithms and AI principles.
  • Experience with AI frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
  • Hands-on experience integrating with OpenAI, Claude, Google Vertex AI, or similar platforms.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Curiosity, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail

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

What Cottingham & Butler employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply