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Mainframe Engineer Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Developer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$45 - $58/hr

... Engineer for the Vehicle Invoicing and Drafting Application with 10+ years of solid technology ... Listed salary ranges may vary based on experience, qualifications, and local market. Also, some ...

Mainframe Developer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$45 - $58/hr

... Engineer for the Vehicle Invoicing and Drafting Application with 10+ years of solid technology ... Listed salary ranges may vary based on experience, qualifications, and local market. Also, some ...

Mainframe Developer

Dearborn, MI

$45.25 - $58/hr

... Engineer for the Vehicle Invoicing and Drafting Application with 10+ years of solid technology ... Listed salary ranges may vary based on experience, qualifications, and local market. Also, some ...

Mainframe Developer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$45 - $58/hr

... Engineer for the Vehicle Invoicing and Drafting Application with 10+ years of solid technology ... Listed salary ranges may vary based on experience, qualifications, and local market. Also, some ...

Principal Mainframe Engineer

Coppell, TX · Hybrid

$125K - $168K/yr

Software Developers work closely with business partners and / or external clients in defining ... Actual salary is determined based on the role, location, individual experience, skills, and other ...

New

Principal Mainframe Engineer

Tampa, FL · Hybrid

$122K - $164K/yr

Software Developers work closely with business partners and / or external clients in defining ... Actual salary is determined based on the role, location, individual experience, skills, and other ...

New

Engineer

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Mainframe Developer Must Have Technical/Functional Skills: * Analyze business requirements and ... Salary Range - $100,000-$120,000 a year TCS Employee Benefits Summary: * Discretionary Annual ...

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Mainframe Engineer Salary information

See salary details

$10

$53

$72

How much do mainframe engineer salary jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe engineer salary in the United States is $53.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47.12 and $60.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Mainframe Engineer Salary vs Mainframe Developer Salary?

AspectMainframe Engineer SalaryMainframe Developer Salary
Required CredentialsCertifications like IBM Certified Specialist, relevant degreesSimilar certifications and degrees as Mainframe Engineer
Work EnvironmentLarge enterprise data centers, financial institutionsFinancial, government, and large corporate IT teams
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in banking, insurance, government sectorsSame industries, often overlapping roles
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Mainframe Engineers and Mainframe Developers typically require similar certifications and work in comparable environments within large enterprises. Salary differences are often minimal and depend on experience, location, and specific employer needs.

What factors can influence the salary range for a Mainframe Engineer role?

Several factors can impact the salary range for Mainframe Engineers, including years of experience, specific technical expertise (such as COBOL, JCL, or z/OS administration), and the complexity of the systems managed. Salaries may also vary based on industry, with finance and healthcare sectors often offering higher compensation due to mission-critical mainframe operations. Additionally, geographic location and the size of the employer can play a significant role in determining salary levels.

What is the average salary of a Mainframe Engineer?

The average salary of a Mainframe Engineer in the United States typically ranges from $80,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and specific industry. Entry-level positions may start around $70,000, while highly experienced engineers or those in specialized roles can earn upwards of $130,000 annually. Factors such as certifications, expertise in particular mainframe systems, and the size of the employer also influence salary levels.

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

To thrive as a Mainframe Engineer, you need deep expertise in mainframe operating systems (such as z/OS), COBOL or similar mainframe languages, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, JCL, CICS, DB2, and mainframe security protocols, as well as certifications such as IBM Certified System Programmer, are typically expected. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital to ensure system stability, data security, and the efficient operation of critical enterprise applications.
More about Mainframe Engineer Salary jobs
What cities are hiring for Mainframe Engineer Salary jobs? Cities with the most Mainframe Engineer Salary job openings:
What states have the most Mainframe Engineer Salary jobs? States with the most job openings for Mainframe Engineer Salary jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Engineer Salary jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Engineer Salary jobs are:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Engineer Salary job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,026 per year, or $53.4 per hour.

Lead Mainframe Platform Engineer - CICS, MQ & zCEE

Huntington

Austin, TX

$93K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Description

This position is an onsite position and available to be filled at any Huntington Corporate office location (see location options on posting)

The z/OS Platform CICS, MQ & zCEE Lead candidate must have extensive experience in performance management architecture, implementation, and management for a mission critical large mainframe systems environment. Required areas of experience include z/OS engineering, WLM (Workload Manager), CF, SMF Processing, DASD, Hardware configuration, Channels, IPL processes, CICS, zCEE, MQ, Parallel Sysplex, CICSPLEX, z/OS Networking, z/OS Performance Tuning, and Capacity Planning tools. Expertise in ICF/zIIP capacity and tuning, WLM configuration and troubleshooting, and z/OS engineering. In addition, candidate must have a proven history of platform road map development, project management skills, and executive level communication in these areas. Previous experience performing a z/OS CICS, MQ & zCEE lead role required. The candidate must be able to prioritize and complete work on time in an ever-changing and complex environment. Mentoring required with the wider team, mentoring skills and experience are necessary. The ability to read CICS dumps & traces considered a plus.

Detailed Description:

This candidate will be fulfilling an experienced systems mainframe engineer position.

  • Responsible for the overall health, security, resiliency, and performance of System z CICS for z/OS, MQ for z/OS, and z/OS zCEE across multiple Sysplexes and CECS
  • Responsible for the z/OS networking for CICS, MQ and zCEE connectivity requirements (TCPIP, LU6.2, Sockets, EXCI, ETC.)
  • Manage overall platform documentation, reports including all KPIs, charts, end-to-end workflow diagrams of all system z software zCEE, CICS and MQ.
  • Develop and present z/OS zCEE, CICS and MQ, HA (SYSPLEX/CICSPLEX roadmaps
  • Lead problem troubleshooting efforts and root cause analyses of all P1 & P2 System z zCEE, CICS and MQ related incidents.
  • Develop, document, and deliver pre- and post-implementation analysis of System z tech refreshes and application releases.
  • Eliminate reoccurring issues and drive down mean time to recovery.
  • Provide technical direction and education to programmers, analysts, and technical support associates.
  • Prototypes the new features, functions, and strategies of new application subsystems technology.
  • Candidate must be motivated and assertive while possessing the ability to oversee and prioritize multiple tasks in a team environment.
  • Coordinates with programming application users to determine symptoms and ensure accurate problem resolution.
  • Provides 24x7 on call support within a team rotation.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or 4+ additional years of equivalent experience.
  • 7+ years of professional experience in z/OS / CICS, MQ or zCEE engineering.
  • 3+ years in a lead role, or Project Management (roadmapping), or developing KPIs for delivery.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Expert knowledge of systems z including DB2 for z/OS, CICS for z/OS, zCEE for z/OS, & MQ for z/OS along with mainframe related tools such as BMC Mainview, IBM –CICS Interdependency Analyzer, IBM –CICS Performance analyzer, SMPE, ISPF, SMS, SMF, GDPS.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively interface and partner with all levels of the organization.
  • Maintain “State of the Art’ knowledge of best practices in systems capacity, Security, administration, performance, high availability, metrics, and business continuity specifically for all systems z including DB2 for z/OS, CICS for z/OS or MQ for z/OS. 
  • Comprehensive knowledge of CICS Security (Keyring Certificates, TLS, Resource access & RACF)
  • Proficient in SRE concepts and automation
  • Proven experience in creating the roadmap, processes, best practices, standards, and strategies for continuous improvement of monitoring, performance, resiliency, availability, and scalability of zCEE, CICS and MQ on system z.
  • Experience as a technical lead, driving technical direction, owning the portfolio of technology, and growing the larger team.
  • REXX experience


Exempt Status: (Yes = not eligible for overtime pay) (No = eligible for overtime pay)

Yes

Workplace Type:

Office

Our Approach to Office Workplace Type

Certain positions outside our branch network may be eligible for a flexible work arrangement. We’re combining the best of both worlds:  in-office and work from home. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. Remote roles will also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for moments that matter. Specific work arrangements will be provided by the hiring team.

Compensation Range:

$93,000 - $189,000 Annual Salary

The compensation range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base compensation range for this position. Actual compensation will vary based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and education.  Colleagues in this position are also eligible to participate in an applicable incentive compensation plan.  In addition, Huntington provides a variety of benefits to colleagues, including health insurance coverage, wellness program, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plan, paid leave programs, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO). 

Huntington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Tobacco-Free Hiring Practice: Visit Huntington's Career Web Site for more details.

Note to Agency Recruiters:  Huntington will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.  All unsolicited resumes sent to any Huntington colleagues, directly or indirectly, will be considered Huntington property. Recruiting agencies must have a valid, written and fully executed Master Service Agreement and Statement of Work for consideration.