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Independent Contractor Cobol Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SelectMinds

COBOL Programmer

Dallas, TX · On-site

COBOL AS/400 Programmer Location: Remote (Must work PST hours) Travel: Up to 3 days per month ... operate independently in distributed environments. This is a remote position aligned with PST ...

Select Minds LLC

COBOL Programmer

Dallas, TX · Remote

$55 - $60/hr

COBOL AS/400 Programmer Location: Remote (Must work PST hours) Travel: Up to 3 days per month ... operate independently in distributed environments. This is a remote position aligned with PST ...

Intellibee Inc

COBOL Programmer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Intellibee Inc is seeking a COBOL Programmer for a short-term contractor assignment with the NC Department of Transportation. The role involves analyzing complex legacy program modules and coding and ...

Innosoul inc

COBOL Programmer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$87.20/hr

NC-0707) Hybrid/Local Govt Cobol Programmer/Analyst (15+) with IBM z/OS, CICS/DB2, Endevor, CA DB2 ... The NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is seeking to fill a short term contractor assignment.

Omega Solutions

COBOL Programmer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Cobol Programmer Senior Software Engineer (Mainframe) Under general supervision, to design, code ... Must be a self-starter able to work independently. Troubleshoots existing information systems to ...

Select Minds LLC

COBOL Programmer

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$55 - $60/hr

COBOL AS/400 Programmer Location: Remote (Must work PST hours) Travel: Up to 3 days per month ... operate independently in distributed environments. This is a remote position aligned with PST ...

InterSources

Cobol Programmer - Advanced

Cobol Programmer - Advanced (Job ID: 11021 ) Work Location: Columbia, South Carolina (100% Remote ... Communicate effectively with Clemson staff and contracted teams Required Skills * 10+ years of ...

Stem Xpert

Mainframe/Cobol Programmer

Detroit, MI · On-site

All prospective contractors will be required to pass background check prior to the start date of ... COBOL and GenX Programming: Debugging Data: DMSII Databases: Experience with Workflow language:

SonSoft

MAINFRAME COBOL PROGRAMMER

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

Mainframe Cobol Programmer Sonsoft, Inc. is a USA based corporation duly organized under the laws ... U.S. Citizens and those who are authorized to work independently in the United States are ...

Thinkfind

COBOL IMS/DB2 Programmers

Dallas, TX

$40 - $45/hr

Thinkfind is seeking a highly experienced Mainframe Programmer to support critical enterprise ... can operate independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams. Desired Skills: COBOL ...

Sonsoft Inc

MAINFRAME COBOL PROGRAMMER

Grand Rapids, MI

$47 - $60.50/hr

Write software programs using specific programming languages/platforms such as Java or MS .NET, and ... U.S. Citizens and those who are authorized to work independently in the United States are ...

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Independent Contractor Cobol Programmer information

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$40

$58

$95

How much do independent contractor cobol programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for independent contractor cobol programmer in the United States is $58.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.27 and $67.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do COBOL programmers work remotely?

Many COBOL programmers, including independent contractors, can work remotely, especially with the increased adoption of remote work technology. They often use tools like remote desktop access and version control systems to collaborate and manage code from different locations. However, some projects or clients may require on-site presence depending on the nature of the work or security protocols.

Are COBOL programmers still in demand?

COBOL programmers are still in demand in industries such as banking and finance that rely on legacy mainframe systems. Many organizations seek experienced programmers to maintain and update these systems, often requiring knowledge of mainframe environments and tools like JCL and DB2. While new development in COBOL is limited, maintenance roles remain available due to the continued reliance on existing infrastructure.

Does anyone still program in COBOL?

Yes, COBOL is still used in many legacy systems within banking, government, and large corporations. COBOL programmers are needed to maintain, update, and modernize these systems, often requiring knowledge of mainframe environments and specific development tools.

How much do COBOL programmers get paid?

COBOL programmers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior or specialized programmers with certifications and extensive skills may earn higher salaries, especially in industries like finance and government that rely heavily on legacy systems.

What is an Independent Contractor Cobol Programmer job?

An Independent Contractor COBOL Programmer is a self-employed professional who develops, maintains, and upgrades COBOL-based systems for clients on a contract basis. They often work with legacy systems in industries like banking, insurance, and government. Their responsibilities include analyzing business requirements, debugging code, and optimizing software performance. Since they are contractors, they typically handle multiple projects, set their own schedules, and negotiate their own rates.

What types of projects or tasks can I expect as an Independent Contractor Cobol Programmer?

As an Independent Contractor Cobol Programmer, you will often be engaged in tasks such as maintaining, enhancing, and troubleshooting legacy COBOL applications, as well as performing data migrations or system integrations. You might work with cross-functional teams including business analysts, QA testers, and system architects to ensure business and technical requirements are met. Projects can range from short-term bug fixes to long-term modernization initiatives, requiring adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. This role typically involves managing your own workload and deadlines while effectively communicating progress and challenges to the client or project team.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Independent Contractor Cobol Programmer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Independent Contractor Cobol Programmer, you need strong expertise in COBOL programming, legacy systems maintenance, and a solid understanding of mainframe environments, usually supported by relevant experience in IT or computer science. Familiarity with IBM z/OS, JCL, DB2 databases, and source code management tools is commonly required, and certifications in these areas can be beneficial. Effective communication, time management, and self-motivation are key soft skills for managing projects independently and collaborating remotely with clients or teams. These skills ensure successful project delivery, adherence to client specifications, and the ability to respond to evolving technical and business requirements.

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Independent Contractor Cobol Programmer jobs near you
COBOL Programmer

COBOL Programmer

SelectMinds

Dallas, TX • On-site

Other

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Benefits:

Competitive compensation

Skill Developement

Opportunity for advancement

Job Title: COBOL AS/400 Programmer Location: Remote (Must work PST hours) Travel: Up to 3 days per month onsite (expenses covered) Experience Level: 12+ years required

Opportunity Overview

We are seeking an experienced COBOL AS/400 Programmer to support and enhance mission-critical enterprise applications running on the IBM AS/400 (iSeries) platform. This position is ideal for professionals with deep legacy system expertise, a strong aptitude for problem-solving, and the ability to operate independently in distributed environments.

This is a remote position aligned with PST working hours, with occasional monthly travel for onsite collaboration (all travel expenses fully covered).

Key Responsibilities

Legacy Application Development & Maintenance: Design, enhance, and support COBOL-based programs on AS/400 systems.

Business Requirement Analysis: Translate business needs into technical specifications and functional code.

Testing & Troubleshooting: Perform unit testing, debug COBOL applications, and resolve system and data integrity issues.

Production Support: Diagnose and resolve real-time production issues to minimize system downtime.

System Integration: Collaborate with business analysts, QA, and cross-functional technical teams to ensure seamless integration with other platforms.

Documentation: Maintain accurate technical documentation, support materials, and knowledge base updates.

Required Qualifications

12+ years of hands-on experience with COBOL programming on IBM AS/400 (iSeries).

Proficiency in DB2 for i, embedded SQL, and Control Language Programming (CLP).

Solid understanding of AS/400 system architecture, subsystems, job scheduling, batch/interactive processing, and library management.

Skilled in debugging, performance tuning, and modernizing legacy COBOL applications.

Familiarity with 5250 terminal emulators or green-screen user interfaces.

Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with both technical and business stakeholders.

Self-driven, with a proven track record of delivering results in remote and distributed team environments.

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