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Mainframe Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

MAINFRAME DEVELOPER Location: Chicago, IL (Full Onsite, Open to Relocating Candidates) Visa: Any visa except H1B We're looking for a Mainframe Developer to join our team! If you're experienced with ...

Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Chicago, IL & Richardson, TX Experience: Expert Level Employment Type: Contract * Expert-level proficiency in Mainframe technologies including COBOL, JCL, VSAM, DB2 ...

Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

Expert knowledge on mainframe programming languages and technologies namely COBOL, DB2, JCL, CICS, Mainframe MQ, VSAM and NDM * Strong understanding of the concept of relational databases with ...

Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

Mainframe Developer (12+ YEARS) Location: Chicago, IL • Required Years of Experience: At least 12+ years of relevant experience • 12+ years of experience as a Mainframe Developer Required Skills ...

Mainframe Developer

Rosemont, IL

$49.25 - $63.50/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Rosemont,IL Duration: Fulltime Mainframe-L2 (Mandatory) As a Lead, you are responsible for managing a small team of analysts, developers, testers or engineers and drive ...

Mainframe Developer

Rosemont, IL · On-site

$49.25 - $63.50/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Rosemont,IL Duration: Fulltime Mainframe-L2 (Mandatory) As a Lead, you are responsible for managing a small team of analysts, developers, testers or engineers and drive ...

Mainframe Developer

Rosemont, IL

$49.25 - $63.50/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Rosemont,IL Duration: Fulltime Mainframe-L2 (Mandatory) As a Lead, you are responsible for managing a small team of analysts, developers, testers or engineers and drive ...

Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

12+ years of experience as a Mainframe Developer Required Skill Set : * COBOL * CICS * NATURAL AND ADABAS * CA7 needs to be advanced level - Someone who can develop Batch Automation Scripts from ...

Mainframe Developer

Riverwoods, IL · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

The Mainframe Developer will be responsible for developing, enhancing, and maintaining mainframe applications along with supporting batch processing, production stability, and system integrations.

Mainframe Developer

Springfield, IL · On-site

$80K - $140K/yr

The Mainframe Developer will support Barrow Wise's State of Illinois project and perform the following duties: * Write, test, and debug code * Create databases and manage data * Collaborate with team ...

Mainframe Developer

Springfield, IL

$48.50 - $62.50/hr

The Mainframe Developer will support Barrow Wise's State of Illinois project and perform the following duties: * Write, test, and debug code * Create databases and manage data * Collaborate with team ...

Mainframe Developer (Intermediate)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

They are seeking an Intermediate Mainframe Developer responsible for the daily development, maintenance, and support of these applications. Responsibilities : • Develop, test, and deploy code ...

Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL

$50.50 - $65/hr

Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills in complex mainframe environments. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-team collaboration.

Mainframe developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

IBM Mainrame experience JCL DB2 Strong SQL Skills Experience in developing Stored procedures Strong Assembler programming / debugging skills COBOL programming language PL/1 Programming LAnguage CICS ...

Mainframe Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$10 - $70/hr

The engineer will play a critical role in proofing the mainframe platform, ensuring technical compatibility, stability, and performance as the stack evolves. Core Responsibilities z/OS Platform ...

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Mainframe Developer information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$51

$70

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Illinois is $51.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.67 and $58.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the salary of a mainframe developer?

The salary of a mainframe developer typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in COBOL, JCL, or mainframe security may earn higher compensation.

What is the difference between Mainframe Developer vs Mainframe Analyst?

AspectMainframe DeveloperMainframe Analyst
Primary RoleDesigning, coding, and testing mainframe applicationsAnalyzing and maintaining existing mainframe systems
Skills & CertificationsCOBOL, JCL, DB2, certifications like IBM Certified DeveloperCOBOL, JCL, system analysis, troubleshooting skills
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, coding in mainframe environmentsSupport teams, system analysis, user support
Industry UsageFinancial services, insurance, government agenciesFinancial institutions, healthcare, government agencies

While Mainframe Developers focus on creating and implementing mainframe applications, Mainframe Analysts primarily analyze, troubleshoot, and maintain existing systems. Both roles require similar technical skills and often work within the same industries, but their core responsibilities differ in development versus support and analysis.

Is mainframe hard to learn?

Mainframe development can be challenging for beginners due to its specialized programming languages like COBOL and its unique environment. However, with dedicated training and practice, many developers can acquire the necessary skills to work effectively on mainframe systems.

What are some common challenges Mainframe Developers face when integrating legacy systems with modern applications?

Mainframe Developers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between legacy systems and newer technologies, managing data migration without disrupting business operations, and maintaining the security of sensitive data. Effective communication with cross-functional teams, such as application developers and infrastructure engineers, is essential to address these challenges. Staying updated on both mainframe and modern programming practices helps ease integration and ensures long-term system reliability.

Is mainframe still in demand?

Mainframe developers are still in demand due to the continued reliance of many large organizations on mainframe systems for critical operations. Skills in COBOL, JCL, and mainframe security are valuable, and demand persists in industries like finance, insurance, and government. However, the overall number of roles is smaller compared to other modern development environments.

What are Mainframe Developers?

Mainframe Developers are specialized software engineers who design, develop, maintain, and troubleshoot applications on mainframe computer systems, such as IBM's z/OS. They typically work with languages like COBOL, JCL, and CICS, and are responsible for ensuring the performance, security, and reliability of mission-critical business applications. Mainframe Developers are commonly employed in industries like banking, insurance, and government, where large-scale, high-volume transaction processing is essential.

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

To thrive as a Mainframe Developer, you need expertise in programming languages such as COBOL, JCL, and SQL, along with a strong understanding of mainframe operating systems and batch processing concepts. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, DB2, CICS, and version control systems is typically required, and certifications from IBM or related organizations can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help Mainframe Developers excel in troubleshooting and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills are crucial for maintaining, optimizing, and modernizing legacy systems that are vital to many large organizations’ operations.

Can mainframe be replaced by AI?

Mainframe developers work with large-scale, legacy systems that require specialized knowledge of mainframe environments, programming languages, and security protocols. While AI can automate certain tasks like code analysis and testing, it is unlikely to fully replace mainframe developers due to the complexity and critical nature of mainframe systems. Instead, AI tools are used to augment their work and improve efficiency.
What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois are:
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Mainframe Developer jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Mainframe Developer job openings:

Mainframe Developer

Kanak Elite Services Inc

Chicago, IL • On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

Contractor

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Role: MAINFRAME DEVELOPER

Location: Chicago, IL (Full Onsite, Open to Relocating Candidates)

Visa: Any visa except H1B
We're looking for a Mainframe Developer to join our team! If you're experienced with mainframe technologies and meet the requirements below, we'd love to connect.
What we're looking for:
·      12+ years working with Mainframe technologies
·      Strong experience in NAT/ADABAS
·      COBOL, CICS, DB2, JCL, CA7
·      Financial industry experience is a bonus
 

Thanks & Regards,

Technical Recruiter

Anjali Sonkar

Email : Anjali08@kanakits.com