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Mainframe Engineer Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Developer

Dearborn, MI ยท On-site

$45.25 - $58/hr

Stefanini is looking for a Mainframe Developer(Dearborn, MI) For quick apply, please reach out to ... Listed salary ranges may vary based on experience, qualifications, and local market. Also, some ...

COBOL Mainframe Developer At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems ... The pay or salary range will not be below any applicable state, city or local minimum wage ...

COBOL Mainframe Developer At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems ... The pay or salary range will not be below any applicable state, city or local minimum wage ...

Mainframe Developer

Dearborn, MI ยท On-site

$45.25 - $58.25/hr

Stefanini is looking for a Mainframe Developer(Dearborn, MI) For quick apply, please reach out to ... Listed salary ranges may vary based on experience, qualifications, and local market. Also, some ...

COBOL Mainframe Developer At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems ... The pay or salary range will not be below any applicable state, city or local minimum wage ...

COBOL Mainframe Developer At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems ... The pay or salary range will not be below any applicable state, city or local minimum wage ...

Mainframe Developer

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Salary Range: $100K-$110K/Annum * We are seeking a Senior Mainframe Developer with strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, and Control-M/CCS (or similar scheduling systems) to support critical enterprise ...

COBOL Mainframe Developer At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems ... The pay or salary range will not be below any applicable state, city or local minimum wage ...

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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 30, 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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Mainframe engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in legacy systems, and certifications such as IBM Certified System Programmer can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially in senior or managerial roles. High compensation often depends on the industry, location, and the complexity of the systems managed.

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.

How much do mainframe engineers make?

Mainframe engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in COBOL, JCL, or mainframe security can command higher salaries. Many employers also offer benefits such as bonuses and retirement plans.

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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most mainframe engineers earn significantly less, highly experienced professionals with specialized skills, certifications, and leadership roles in large organizations can reach or exceed a $500,000 annual salary. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or other incentives, and typically requires extensive expertise in mainframe systems, programming, and infrastructure management.

Are mainframe engineers in demand?

Mainframe engineers are in steady demand due to the continued reliance of large organizations on mainframe systems for critical operations. Skills in COBOL, JCL, and mainframe security increase employability, especially in finance, government, and healthcare sectors where legacy systems remain essential.

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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 1% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,026 per year, or $53.4 per hour.

Mainframe Developer

Stefanini

Dearborn, MI โ€ข On-site

$45.25 - $58/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design, develop, test, maintain, and support backend mainframe components and their integration points with Java-based systems.

  • Continuously improve performance and optimize applications, including DB2 database performance tuning and implementing new development tools.

  • Provide off-hours production support as required for the North America Eastern Time Zone.


Job description


Stefanini Group is hiring!
Stefanini is looking for a Mainframe Developer(Dearborn, MI)
For quick apply, please reach out to Saurabh Kapoor at /
We are responsible for designing, developing, testing, maintaining, and supporting critical software applications and products to meet customer needs. As an integral part of the Vehicle Order Processing and Control Product team, they are involved in the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC)-including business analysis, technical consultation, designing robust backend and integration software architectures, writing code (COBOL, JCL, Java), testing for quality, and deploying system updates. This role focuses on developing and maintaining backend mainframe components (DB2, IMS, stored procedures, MQs, REST services) and their integration points with Java-based systems to ensure seamless, end-to-end transaction processing.
ResponsibilitiesWork on continuously improving performance and optimizing applications-including recommending and executing DB2 database performance tuning actions-and implementing new development tools (such as Endeavor) to maximize engineering efficiency. Familiar with programming practices-such as test-driven development (TDD), continuous integration, and continuous delivery (CI/CD) - adapting these methodologies to a hybrid Mainframe and Java backend ecosystem. Support security practices to safeguard critical vehicles, order, and customer data, ensuring proper encryption, secure APIs, and data anonymization across both mainframe (DB2) and non-mainframe (SQL Server) databases. Enable user-friendly and interactive interfaces by developing highly performant and reliable backend APIs, data access layers, and communication channels (MQs, stored procedures) that power frontend consumer applications. Develop and maintain back-end applications like APIs, microservices, and database layers using server-side languages, COBOL stored procedures, IMS transactions, and SQL Server integration. Evaluate and incorporate emerging technologies and capabilities (such as hybrid-cloud integration, DB2 REST services, and modern mainframe tooling) to deliver solutions, monitoring and participating in new stack layers often involving industry collaboration. Operational Requirements Provide off-hours production support as required for the North America Eastern Time Zone.
Skills RequiredMainframe Systems
Skills PreferredAnalytical skills
Experience Required5 to 10 years of hands-on experience in Mainframe development, systems analysis, and production support across all phases of the SDLC. Extensive experience with COBOL, DB2, JCL, VSAM, IMS, and REXX in both Batch and online transactional environments. Assess the requirements of mainframe applications and services to determine the most suitable technology stack, integration methods (such as DB2 REST services, Message Queues (MQs), and microservices), and deployment strategies. Create high-level software architecture designs that outline the overall structure, components, and interfaces of applications, specifically defining how Java-based systems securely and efficiently communicate with DB2 back-end databases. Strong experience managing DB2 stored procedures, DB2 REST services, Message Queues (MQs), SQL Server, and Endeavor. Ability to visualize, query, and work with both mainframe (DB2) and non-mainframe (SQL Server) data structures. Some experience with Java, with a strong focus on how Java applications interface with DB2 databases (e.g., via COBOL stored procedures, MQs, or RESTful services). Proven experience working in highly collaborative, Agile software development teams with a strong drive for results.
Education RequiredBachelor's Degree
**Listed salary ranges may vary based on experience, qualifications, and local market. Also, some positions may include bonuses or other incentives***
Stefanini takes pride in hiring top talent and developing relationships with our future employees. Our talent acquisition teams will never make an offer of employment without having a phone conversation with you. Those face-to-face conversations will involve a description of the job for which you have applied. We will also speak with you about the process, including interviews and job offers.
About Stefanini Group
The Stefanini Group is a global provider of offshore, onshore and near shore outsourcing, IT digital consulting, systems integration, application, and strategic staffing services to Fortune 1000 enterprises around the world. Our presence is in countries like the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and more than four hundred clients across a broad spectrum of markets, including financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, chemical services, technology, public sector, and utilities. Stefanini is a CMM level 5, IT consulting company with a global presence. We are a CMM Level 5 company.
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