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Cobol Programmer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Nike

Software Engineer

Beaverton, OR · On-site

Software Engineer - NIKE USA Inc. - Beaverton, OR. Build and deliver scalable data and analytics solutions focused on Supply Chain ,Consumer and Marketplace data products; design and implement Supply ...

Noblesoft Technologies

Software Engineer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

Position- Software Engineer- C#, Motion Control, Metrology Type : Day 1 onsite (5 days a week) Location : Hillsboro, Oregon (Preferred) or Milpitas, California ,USA About the Role: Require an ...

Provn

Software Engineer

Portland, OR · Remote

$100K - $180K/yr

About the job Software Engineer Cerbo Remote (US) Full-time Paste this url into your browser to view the full and apply directly provn.co: -4d6f-4c4d-b453- e3ee74129ab9/software - engineer?utm_source ...

Intel

AI Software Development Engineer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

You will engineer resilient platforms for long-running agent workflows, multi-agent coordination, and adaptive execution in enterprise environments - while delivering the data pipelines and ...

RevSpring, Inc.

Software Engineer II

Portland, OR · On-site

Software Engineer II- Backend Job Summary: Join a team solving some of the hardest problems in healthcare by building the services that help millions of people find the right doctors, understand ...

nLIGHT

Software Engineer - C#/.NET

Camas, WA · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

We are seeking a highly motivated software engineer with a strong record of technical execution, creativity, and product-focused development. In this role, you will contribute to the architecture ...

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All JobsCobol Programmer JobsCobol Programmer Jobs in Portland, OR

Cobol Programmer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$42

$61

$101

How much do cobol programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol programmer in Portland, OR is $61.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.06 and $71.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is there still a demand for COBOL programmers?

COBOL programmers are still in demand for maintaining and updating legacy systems in industries like banking, finance, and government. Many organizations require expertise in COBOL for critical mainframe applications, though new development opportunities are limited. Skills in mainframe environments and understanding of legacy code are valuable for these roles.

Is COBOL being phased out?

COBOL programmers are still in demand for maintaining legacy systems in banking, government, and insurance sectors. While new development in COBOL has decreased, many organizations rely on it, and expertise remains valuable for system updates and support. The language is not being rapidly phased out, but the job market is gradually shifting toward modernization skills alongside COBOL knowledge.

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 are COBOL Programmers?

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.

Do COBOL programmers work remotely?

Many COBOL programmers work remotely, especially as organizations adopt flexible work arrangements. Remote work for COBOL programmers often depends on the employer, project requirements, and the need for access to legacy systems, but it has become increasingly common in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cobol Programmer, and why are they important?

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 typically earn between $60,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior or specialized programmers with certifications 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 Portland, OR? The most popular types of Cobol Programmer jobs in Portland, OR are:
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What job categories do people searching Cobol Programmer jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Cobol Programmer jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Cobol Programmer jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Cobol Programmer job openings:
Cobol Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cobol Programmer job openings in Portland, OR as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $128,907 per year, or $62 per hour.

Software Engineer

Frontier Technologies LLC

Hillsboro, OR • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Frontier Technologies LLC is an IT Services and Consulting Company
formed in 2002 that specializes in staff augmentation & customized
staffing solutions. It provides individualized attention to each of its
client's needs and deploys the utmost quality through the right
resources at the right time and for the right cost.
Job Description
Software Engineer(full time)
Job Description:
We are looking for a talented and self-motivated software engineer to join a software development team, work with the team on design, development and testing of a software stack including Linux device drivers, system software, frameworks and applications. Your main focus will be system software, frameworks and application development.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
You should possess at least a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
- Candidate should have 2+ years of experience with C/C++ programming on Linux platforms, Windows experience is a plus.
- Experience with continuous integration work flow and tools.
- Experience with Git and Gerrit.
- Good understanding of Agile development methodologies
- Demonstrate versatility in software engineering across a variety of current programming and scripting languages.
- Experience with compute acceleration programing using GPU or Intel Xeon Phi is a plus
- Experience with open stack and/or machine learning frameworks such as Caffe is a plus.
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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