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Cobol Programmer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Specialist

Morristown, TN · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ... COBOL, JCL, VSAM, CICS, DB2, Assembler, REXX, SPUFI, TSO/ISPF, or RACF. * Minimum 3+ years leading ...

Mainframe Specialist

Nashville, TN · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ... COBOL, JCL, VSAM, CICS, DB2, Assembler, REXX, SPUFI, TSO/ISPF, or RACF. * Minimum 3+ years leading ...

... Programmer or Engineer or closely related field. Employer also accepts Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Information Technology / Engineering (Any) /Technology (Any)/Science or related field ...

... Programmer or Engineer or closely related field. Employer also accepts Bachelors degree in Computer Science / Information Technology / Engineering (Any) /Technology (Any)/Science or related field ...

... Programmer or Engineer or closely related field. Employer also accepts Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Information Technology / Engineering (Any) /Technology (Any)/Science or related field ...

Software Engineer

Brentwood, TN · On-site

$60K - $100K/yr

Software Engineer Revature | United States (Remote to Start) About Revature Revature is a technology services company that builds and deploys high-performing engineering talent for enterprise clients.

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Cobol Programmer information

See Tennessee salary details

$36

$52

$86

How much do cobol programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol programmer in Tennessee is $52.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.28 and $61.30 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 Tennessee? The most popular types of Cobol Programmer jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Cobol Programmer jobs in Tennessee? For Cobol Programmer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cobol Programmer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Cobol Programmer jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Cobol Programmer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Cobol Programmer job openings:
Infographic showing various Cobol Programmer job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 12% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,968 per year, or $52.9 per hour.

Cobol Programming Developer

AllSTEM Connections

Chattanooga, TN • On-site

$81K - $110K/yr

Temporary

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Senior Mainframe Applications Developer (COBOL)
Role Overview
We are seeking a Senior Mainframe Applications Developer to design, develop, and integrate complex information systems within our core enterprise environment. You will be the technical lead for our mission-critical batch processing applications, ensuring that our core systems remain high-performing, reliable, and scalable.
This is a key technical role for a developer who understands the rigor of mainframe environments. You will own the full development lifecycle-from research and requirements definition to coding, testing, and debugging. If you are a seasoned COBOL developer who enjoys leading small-to-medium project efforts and translating complex technical logic into meaningful results for business stakeholders, we want to talk to you.
Key Responsibilities
System Development & Optimization
• Application Design: Formulate and define system scope and objectives. Translate business requirements into robust, high-performing application logic and procedures.
• Full-Lifecycle Coding: Design, code, test, and debug complex COBOL programs, subroutines, and scripts. Optimize systems for capacity, response time, and operating efficiency.
• System Stability: Serve as a subject matter expert during system failures. Implement proactive measures to eliminate the recurrence of technical issues and reduce overall system downtime.
Leadership & Strategy
• Technical Mentorship: Provide guidance and training to junior analysts/programmers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and adherence to programming standards.
• Project Leadership: Act as a project lead, technical lead, or systems analyst for core initiatives. Manage phases of medium-to-large projects and ensure adherence to IT standards and methodologies.
• Business Partnership: Translate complex technical/mainframe concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-technical project team members and business personnel.
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business, or equivalent technical work experience (1:1 ratio for degree years/experience).
• Experience Baseline: 3+ years of systems and programming experience; 1+ years of expert-level working knowledge of COBOL.
• Technical Mastery: Proven experience with mainframe information technology environments and SQL.
• Core Competency: Demonstrated experience with complex batch processing and core financial data workflows.
Preferred Attributes
• Proven ability to lead large, complex project workstreams independently.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a "work-ethic" mindset focused on reliability and organization.
• Ability to communicate effectively across both technical engineering teams and non-technical business units.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans
The Know Your Rights poster is available here:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf
The pay transparency policy is available here:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf
For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AllSTEM Connections is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.
AllSTEM Connections participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf
We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Additional Skills
(none specified)
AllSTEM Representative Contact Info
Account Executive:
Nichols
Branch Phone:
(909) 244-1777
Location:
Ontario, CA