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Cobol Programming Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

COBOL Developer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$49 - $66.25/hr

COBOL Developer Location: Des Moines, IA (Onsite) Duration: 12+ Months Type: Contract (W2/C2C) Job Overview: We are seeking a seasoned COBOL Developer with 6+ years of experience in mainframe ...

Mainframe Developer

Davenport, IA

$46.50 - $59.75/hr

Analyze existing legacy COBOL, JCL, and PL/1 code within the IBM Mainframe environment. Break down ... Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field preferred. If you are ...

Senior Software Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Senior Software Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Senior Software Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Senior Software Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Senior Software Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Senior Software Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Senior Software Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Senior Software Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Senior Software Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Software Engineer Mid-Level Position Responsibilities Software Engineer Location: Hybrid in Des ... Nice to have: informatica, JCL, and COBOL, DB experience, any experience with the oracle EPM suite ...

Senior Software Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

... oriented programming paradigms. • Hands-on experience supporting large, business-critical or legacy enterprise systems. • Willingness and experience working with COBOL applications. • ...

Lead Software Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · Hybrid

$111K - $135K/yr

Lead Software Engineer The Lead Software Engineer will leverage mainframe and API-driven web ... Five years of experience in mainframe technologies - COBOL, JCL, Ezytrieve, Rexx and CICS.

Senior Systems Operations Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$102K - $139K/yr

Required : • 5+ years of Systems Engineering, Technology Architecture, or Mainframe Production Support experience • Strong hands-on experience with JCL, COBOL, CICS, DB2, CA7, IDCAMS, and ...

Mainframe Developer

Davenport, IA · Hybrid

$43.50 - $55.75/hr

Other programming duties and projects as assigned Qualifications : * Working knowledge and experience with the following: * IBM Mainframe experience in JCL, TSO, COBOL, PL/I, and Easytrieve * Systems ...

Mainframe Developer

Davenport, IA · On-site +1

$43.50 - $55.75/hr

Other programming duties and projects as assigned Qualifications : * Working knowledge and experience with the following: * IBM Mainframe experience in JCL, TSO, COBOL, PL/I, and Easytrieve * Systems ...

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Cobol Programming information

See Iowa salary details

$37

$54

$89

How much do cobol programming jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol programming 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.

Are COBOL programmers still in demand?

COBOL programmers are still in demand in industries such as banking, finance, and government, where legacy systems rely on COBOL code. Many organizations seek experienced programmers for maintenance, modernization, and migration projects, often requiring knowledge of mainframe environments and related tools.

Can you get a job with COBOL?

Cobol programming skills are in demand for maintaining legacy systems in industries like finance and government. Many organizations seek experienced Cobol developers, especially those familiar with mainframe environments and related tools. Job opportunities often require knowledge of mainframe operating systems and certification in relevant technologies.

What are some common challenges faced by COBOL programmers working on legacy systems?

COBOL programmers often encounter challenges such as deciphering decades-old code with minimal documentation, integrating legacy systems with modern technologies, and addressing performance or security issues in outdated environments. Collaboration with business analysts and other IT specialists is crucial to understand system requirements and ensure successful maintenance or upgrades. Adapting to changes and continuous learning about newer integration tools can greatly help in overcoming these challenges and advancing in this specialized field.

Are COBOL developers still in demand?

COBOL developers are still in demand for maintaining and updating legacy systems in industries like banking and finance. Many organizations seek experienced programmers with knowledge of mainframe environments and COBOL programming skills to support critical operations. However, the overall demand is declining as newer technologies emerge, and the job market favors those with additional modern programming skills.

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

To thrive as a COBOL Programmer, you need a solid understanding of COBOL language syntax, legacy systems, and business application development, often supported by a degree in computer science or related experience. Familiarity with mainframe environments, tools like IBM z/OS, JCL (Job Control Language), and database management systems is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for analyzing requirements and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills are important for maintaining and modernizing critical business systems, ensuring reliability, and supporting ongoing organizational operations.

How much do COBOL programmers get paid?

COBOL programmers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior or specialized programmers with certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in financial or government sectors where COBOL remains in use for legacy systems.

What is COBOL programming?

COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) programming refers to writing, maintaining, and updating computer programs using the COBOL language. COBOL is one of the earliest high-level programming languages and is primarily used in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments. Despite being decades old, COBOL remains vital for many legacy systems, especially in banking and insurance sectors. COBOL programmers are responsible for ensuring these critical systems run smoothly and efficiently, often integrating them with modern technologies.
What are popular job titles related to Cobol Programming jobs in Iowa? For Cobol Programming jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cobol Programming jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Cobol Programming jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Cobol Programming job openings in Iowa as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $113,802 per year, or $54.7 per hour.

COBOL Developer

Marshall Technologies

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$49 - $66.25/hr

Contractor

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Job Title: COBOL Developer

Location: Des Moines, IA (Onsite)
Duration: 12+ Months
Type: Contract (W2/C2C)

Job Overview:

We are seeking a seasoned COBOL Developer with 6+ years of experience in mainframe application development and support. The ideal candidate should have strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, DB2, and related legacy technologies. This role involves working closely with business analysts, QA teams, and other developers to maintain, enhance, and support critical business applications.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, test, implement, and support mainframe-based applications using COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and CICS.

  • Translate application storyboards and use cases into functional programs.

  • Analyze business and functional requirements and convert them into scalable technical solutions.

  • Participate in the full software development life cycle including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, and implementation.

  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues in production and development environments.

  • Write clean, efficient, reusable, and well-documented code.

  • Perform performance tuning, code optimization, and debugging.

  • Participate in code reviews, testing activities, and contribute to automation and best practices.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and timely delivery of solutions.

Required Skills & Qualifications:
  • 6+ years of hands-on experience in COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and CICS.

  • Experience with mainframe job scheduling and change management tools (e.g., Endevor).

  • Strong knowledge of SQL, data structures, and relational database principles.

  • Experience in reporting/analytics using mainframe tools and processes.

  • Solid understanding of scalable application design principles and software engineering best practices.

  • Familiarity with ServiceNow, Eclipse, DB Visualizer, or Microsoft SQL Server is a plus.

  • Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Attributes:
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

  • Strong organizational and documentation skills.

  • Experience in production support and handling critical business applications.

Tools & Technologies:
  • Languages: COBOL, JCL, SQL

  • Databases: DB2, VSAM

  • Transaction Processing: CICS

  • Version Control & Change Management: Endevor

  • Tools/Software: ServiceNow, Eclipse, DB Visualizer, MS SQL Server