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Mainframe Applications Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Developer

Wilmington, DE · On-site

$47.50 - $61/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Wilmington, DE * Design, coding, and testing: Mainframe assemblers ... They perform debugging and troubleshooting of mainframe applications to ensure they function ...

Mainframe Developer

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$51.25 - $65.75/hr

Mainframe Developer Work Location: Jersey City, NJ Duration: Long Term * 8+ years of experience in designing and developing Mainframe applications * Experience in COBOL (Modify existing programs to ...

COBOL/Mainframe Developer

Albany, NY · On-site

$48.75 - $62.50/hr

Experience with CA-InterTest for debugging and testing COBOL applications in mainframe environments. * Proven track record as a Lead Programmer, responsible for guiding development teams and ...

Mainframe Developer

Columbus, OH · On-site

$47.25 - $60.75/hr

Keylent Inc is seeking a Mainframe Developer to join their team. The role involves working with ... such as Cobol, IMS, JCL, DB2, and CICS to develop and maintain mainframe applications.

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Mainframe Applications Developer information

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$10

$48

$66

How much do mainframe applications developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe applications developer in the United States is $48.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.51 and $56.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mainframe applications developer?

A Mainframe Applications Developer is an IT professional who designs, develops, and maintains software applications that run on mainframe computers. Mainframes are powerful computing systems used by large organizations for critical applications, such as banking, insurance, and government systems. These developers typically work with programming languages like COBOL, JCL, and CICS, and ensure that mainframe applications are efficient, secure, and reliable. Their responsibilities also include troubleshooting issues, optimizing performance, and supporting system integration with modern technologies.

How does a mainframe applications developer typically collaborate with business analysts and other IT teams during a project?

Mainframe Applications Developers regularly work with business analysts to clarify requirements, translate business needs into technical specifications, and ensure that solutions meet organizational objectives. They often participate in cross-functional meetings with infrastructure, quality assurance, and operations teams to coordinate deployments, troubleshoot issues, and optimize performance. Effective communication and collaboration are essential, as developers must align their code with broader system architectures and adhere to change management processes. This teamwork ensures smooth project delivery and ongoing system reliability.

What is the difference between Mainframe Applications Developer vs Mainframe Systems Analyst?

AspectMainframe Applications DeveloperMainframe Systems Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related, certifications like IBM Certified DeveloperBachelor's in Computer Science, certifications like IBM Certified Specialist
Work EnvironmentDevelops and codes mainframe applications, often in COBOL or PL/IAnalyzes system requirements, designs solutions, and supports mainframe systems
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial institutions, government agencies, large corporationsSame industries, focusing on system analysis and optimization
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding development roles in mainframe environmentsUnderstanding analysis and support roles in mainframe systems

The Mainframe Applications Developer primarily focuses on coding and building mainframe applications, while the Mainframe Systems Analyst concentrates on analyzing, designing, and supporting mainframe systems. Both roles are essential in mainframe environments, often working together to ensure system efficiency and functionality.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mainframe applications developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mainframe Applications Developer, you need strong programming skills in COBOL, JCL, and related legacy languages, along with a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with mainframe operating systems like IBM z/OS, database systems such as DB2, and tools like CICS or IMS is typically required, and certifications from IBM can be advantageous. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for debugging complex code and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualities are crucial to maintain, modernize, and ensure the reliability of mission-critical mainframe applications in large organizations.
More about Mainframe Applications Developer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe Applications Developer jobs? The most popular types of Mainframe Applications Developer jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Applications Developer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Applications Developer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Mainframe Applications Developer jobs? For Mainframe Applications Developer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Applications Developer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,800 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

$52.25 - $67/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Mainframe Developer
Job Location: Remote( New York City,NY)
Job Type:Contract
Job descriptions :
Role: Developing applications in a Mainframe environment with integration to
distributed environment resolving complex and conflicting design issues
Objective: To analyze and improve existing business processes with application
automation where possible.
Deliverables: The developers are responsible for the following:
Analyze business requirements and design applications. Modify applications improving the existing business processes. Execute cleanups from production data analysis. Monitor various system processes as assigned. Ensure complete and accurate issue tracking and reporting. Escalate production timelines to meet client requests. Identify production issues impacting code modules.
Skills Required :
• Minimum of five (5) years of recent experience developing applications using COBOL
for CICS and batch programs.
• Superior proficiency with mainframe applications built with JCL, COBOL and CICS.
• Experience working with VSAM files and DB2, integrating existing designs with new
requirements.
• Strong experience developing in Mainframe environment resolving complex and conflicting design issues.
• Ability to quickly understand complex mainframe systems.
• Exceptional presentation and organizational skills.
• High written and oral communication skills.
DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
• Experience developing applications in IBM VSE mainframe environment.
• Experience working with stored procedures and SQL in MS SQL 2005 or above.
• Quik job utility language experience.