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Lead Cobol Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sarian, Inc.

Sr. Lead Cobol Developer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$48.25 - $65.50/hr

Role: Lead Cobol Developer Location: Irving, TX / Atlanta, GA - Fulltime Position Technical Leads - COBOL Must-Have * Proficiency in COBOL programming (COBOL-85, COBOL II, or later versions)

Kanak Elite Services Inc

Cobol Developer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$48.25 - $65.50/hr

Hello There, My name is Himanshu Sharma , and I serve as the Recruitment Lead at Kanak-IT INC. I am reaching out to share an excellent career opportunity for the role of Cobol Developer with our ...

Kanak Elite Services Inc

Cobol Developer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$48.25 - $65.50/hr

Hello There, My name is Himanshu Sharma , and I serve as the Recruitment Lead at Kanak-IT INC. I am reaching out to share an excellent career opportunity for the role of Cobol Developer with our ...

Conduent, Inc.

Microfocus Cobol Developer

GA · Remote

$51.50 - $69.50/hr

MICROFOCUS COBOL DEVELOPER About the Role: We are seeking an experienced COBOL Developer with deep ... You will serve as a technical lead, mentor junior developers, and collaborate closely with business ...

GDIT

Senior COBOL Developer

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$97K - $132K/yr

No Senior COBOL Developer GDIT is seeking a Senior COBOL Developer to support the United States ... May lead project teams within assigned unit develop, plan and manage project tasks * Respond to ...

Jobsbridge

Cobol Developer

Huntington Beach, CA

$53 - $71.75/hr

Works on one or more projects as a team member or occasionally as a project lead. May coach more ... Qualifications COBOL, Customer Service, Data Architecture, DB2, Developer, Development, IMS ...

Innovcentric LLC

Mainframe COBOL Programmer

Albany, NY · On-site

$65/hr

Mainframe COBOL Lead Programmer Rate: $65/hour Key Skills & Qualifications 7+ years of hands-on experience with COBOL, JCL (z/OS), VSAM, and DB2. Proficiency in Endevor and CA-InterTest. Lead ...

SysMind Tech

Lead Sr Cobol Developer

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$51.75 - $68.50/hr

Senior Cobol Developer Location: Lincoln, NE Experience Level: 8 + years As a Sr. Software Developer, you will serve as a technical leader in our Software Engineering Department and play a key role ...

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All JobsLead Cobol Developer Jobs

Lead Cobol Developer information

See salary details

$80.5K

$131K

$171K

How much do lead cobol developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead cobol developer in the United States is $131,025.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $145,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Will AI replace COBOL?

AI is unlikely to fully replace COBOL developers in the near term because many legacy systems still rely on COBOL for critical financial and business applications. Instead, COBOL developers are increasingly involved in maintaining, modernizing, and integrating existing systems with new technologies, often using tools like automated code generators and modernization platforms.

Are COBOL developers still in demand?

COBOL developers are still in demand in industries such as banking, finance, and government, where legacy systems rely on COBOL. Many organizations seek experienced developers to maintain, update, and modernize these systems, often requiring knowledge of mainframe environments and related tools.

What are Lead Cobol Developers?

Lead Cobol Developers are senior-level professionals responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications using the COBOL programming language, primarily for legacy systems in industries like banking, insurance, and government. They oversee teams of COBOL developers, provide technical guidance, and ensure that projects meet business and technical requirements. In addition to strong programming skills, they often collaborate with stakeholders to plan system upgrades, migrations, or integrations, and play a key role in troubleshooting and optimizing mainframe applications.

What is the difference between Lead Cobol Developer vs Cobol Developer?

AspectLead Cobol DeveloperCobol Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, experience in COBOL, often leadership skillsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, proficiency in COBOL
Work EnvironmentLead roles in team settings, project management, client interactionIndividual contributor, coding, testing, and debugging
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial institutions, government agencies, large corporationsFinancial services, insurance, government, and enterprise sectors

The main difference between a Lead Cobol Developer and a Cobol Developer lies in leadership responsibilities, project oversight, and team coordination. Lead Cobol Developers typically manage projects and mentor junior staff, while Cobol Developers focus on coding and technical tasks. Both roles require strong COBOL skills and industry experience, but the Lead position involves additional managerial duties.

Are COBOL programmers still in demand?

COBOL programmers, including Lead COBOL Developers, are still in demand for maintaining and updating legacy systems in industries like banking and finance. Many organizations seek experienced developers with skills in mainframe environments, often requiring knowledge of tools like JCL and DB2. While new development is limited, expertise in COBOL remains valuable for system support and modernization projects.

How much do COBOL devs get paid?

Lead COBOL developers typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles with specialized skills in mainframe environments and legacy system maintenance may command higher salaries, especially in financial and government sectors.

What are the primary responsibilities of a Lead COBOL Developer in a modern enterprise environment?

As a Lead COBOL Developer, you will typically oversee the design, development, and maintenance of critical legacy systems, often within large financial, insurance, or government organizations. Your role involves not only hands-on coding but also mentoring junior developers, conducting code reviews, and collaborating with business analysts to translate requirements into effective solutions. You may also be responsible for planning modernization initiatives, integrating COBOL applications with newer technologies, and ensuring system reliability and compliance. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential, as you will frequently coordinate with cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time.

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

To thrive as a Lead COBOL Developer, you need deep expertise in COBOL programming, mainframe systems, and experience with software development life cycles, typically backed by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, JCL, DB2, and version control systems, as well as certifications in mainframe technologies, are commonly required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help manage teams and coordinate with stakeholders effectively. These skills ensure successful project delivery, ongoing system maintenance, and efficient modernization of legacy applications.
More about Lead Cobol Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Lead Cobol Developer jobs? Cities with the most Lead Cobol Developer job openings:
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Lead Cobol Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Cobol Developer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, and 53% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $131,025 per year, or $63 per hour.

Sr. Lead Cobol Developer

Sarian, Inc.

Atlanta, GA • On-site

$48.25 - $65.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Role: Lead Cobol Developer
Location: Irving, TX / Atlanta, GA - Fulltime Position
Technical Leads - COBOL
Must-Have
  • Proficiency in COBOL programming (COBOL-85, COBOL II, or later versions).
  • Experience working with mainframe environments (IBM z/OS, OS/390, or similar).
  • Strong knowledge of JCL (Job Control Language) and other mainframe utilities.
  • Familiarity with databases commonly used with COBOL systems, such as DB2, IMS, or VSAM.
  • Ability to write, modify, and maintain batch and online COBOL programs.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to understand complex business logic.
  • Ability to debug and resolve issues in COBOL programs using mainframe debugging tools (e.g., Xpediter, Abend-AID).
  • Experience with software version control and deployment processes in a mainframe environment.

Good-to-Have
  • Knowledge of other Mainframe High-level languages such as Assembler, PL/1 is a plus.

Key Expectations from the Role
  • Responsible for designing, writing, testing, and maintaining COBOL programs to meet the business needs of organizations
  • Ensures that legacy systems operate efficiently, and may also participate in system modernization efforts, upgrading or integrating older COBOL-based systems with newer technologies.
  • Write well-structured and efficient COBOL code based on business and system requirements
  • Perform system testing, unit testing, and integration testing to ensure that COBOL applications are functioning properly.
  • Create and maintain detailed documentation, including program specifications, flowcharts, and operational procedures
  • Ensure that COBOL programs adhere to industry standards, security protocols, and best practices.
  • Support system migration or modernization projects involving COBOL and other Mainframe applications

Muralikrishna
Sarian Solutions, Inc.
Ph: +1 732-790-2266 X 201
murali.k@sariansolutions.com | https://www.sarianinc.com/

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