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Mainframe Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Atria Group LLC

Mainframe/Cobol developer

Bloomington, IL

$47 - $60.50/hr

Mainframe/Cobol developer * Resource needed with industry knowledge/experience of IBM's Rational Asset Analyzer (RAA) tool. * Preferable, but not mandatory is additional knowledge/experience of ...

Northern Trust

Mainframe Senior Developer

Chicago, IL

$99K - $169K/yr

AND Principal Responsibilities The Mainframe Senior Developer is responsible for installing, maintaining, upgrading, and supporting various system software products for TNT's z/OS operating system ...

Northern Trust

Mainframe Senior Developer

Chicago, IL

$99K - $169K/yr

AND Principal Responsibilities The Mainframe Senior Developer is responsible for installing, maintaining, upgrading, and supporting various system software products for TNT's z/OS operating system ...

Northern Trust

Mainframe Senior Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$99K - $169K/yr

AND Principal Responsibilities The Mainframe Senior Developer is responsible for installing, maintaining, upgrading, and supporting various system software products for TNT's z/OS operating system ...

Broadcom

Mainframe Software Development Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$48.25 - $62.25/hr

Preferred : • Expertise on Mainframe extensible frameworks such as ZOWE and dealing with pass ... Broadcom is a designer, developer, and global supplier of a broad range of analog and digital ...

United Airlines

Mainframe Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$111K - $178K/yr

At Capgemini Engineering, the world leader in engineering services, we bring together a global team ... About the role you're considering We are seeking an experienced Mainframe Manager to lead and ...

Staffingine LLC

Tandem Developer

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

$49.25 - $63.25/hr

Tandem Developer Job Location: Rolling Meadows,IL Job Type: Contract Technical Skills: * Strong ... CICS,JCL,Mainframe Enterprise Cobol,Mainframe DB2,Z/OS,CICS Admin,Mainframe - COBOL/JCL/CICS ...

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Mainframe Developer information

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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 are popular job titles related to Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois? For Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles 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:
What are popular job titles related to Mainframe Developer jobs in IL? For Mainframe Developer jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Mainframe Developer jobs near you

Mainframe/Cobol developer

Atria Group LLC

Bloomington, IL

$47 - $60.50/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Company Description

We specialize in Staffing, Consulting, Software Development, and Training along with IT services to small to medium size companies. AG's primary objective is to help companies maximize their IT resources and meet the ever-changing IT needs and challenges.

In addition, AG offers enterprise resource planning and enterprise application integration, supply-chain management, e-commerce solutions, and B2B public exchanges and B2B process integration solutions. Our company provides application analysis, design, development and programming, software engineering, systems development, testing, integration, and implementation, and management consulting services to various clients - including governmental agencies and private companies - throughout the United States and India.

We provide these services in multiple computing environments and use technologies such as client/server architecture, object-oriented programming languages and tools, distributed database management systems, state-of-the-art networking, and communications infrastructures. Our honest and realistic approach to recruiting dictates that AG does not entice or lure engineers from their employers. We represent only high caliber technical professionals who have committed to making a change required by career.

Job Description
  • Mainframe/Cobol developer
  • Resource needed with industry knowledge/experience of IBM's Rational Asset Analyzer (RAA) tool. 
  • Preferable, but not mandatory is additional knowledge/experience of MicroFocus Enterprise Analyzer (MFEA). 
  • Skills in Software Impact Analysis and Host mainframe computing experience.
Additional Information
  1. Good comm skills are a big priority
  2. Duration:  6+ months

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