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Mainframe Programmer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Batch Operator

Des Moines, IA

$17.75 - $21.50/hr

Monitor mainframe jobs - Alert appropriate customers/programmers of potential problems. - Report all job failures and other problems to Program Manager and assist with resolution. - Report and ...

Field Engineer? Service Technician? Or do you want to become a member of this field? Are you tech ... Familiarity with large servers, mainframe computers, and imaging software. * A+ Certification ...

Field Service Technician I

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$19 - $20.83/hr

Field Engineer? Service Technician? Or do you want to start a career in this field? Are you tech ... Familiarity with large servers, mainframe computers, and imaging software. * A+ Certification ...

Field Service Technician I

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$19 - $20.83/hr

Field Engineer? Service Technician? Or do you want to start a career in this field? Are you tech ... Familiarity with large servers, mainframe computers, and imaging software. * A+ Certification ...

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Mainframe Programmer information

See Iowa salary details

$36

$50

$62

How much do mainframe programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe programmer in Iowa is $50.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.23 and $59.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is mainframe developer salary?

The salary for 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 environments may earn higher compensation. Many employers also offer benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Is mainframe developer a good career?

Mainframe developers design, maintain, and update large-scale legacy systems using languages like COBOL and tools such as JCL. The role offers stable employment opportunities, especially in finance and government sectors, with competitive salaries and demand for specialized skills. However, it requires ongoing learning of mainframe technologies and certifications to stay current in the field.

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

To thrive as a Mainframe Programmer, you need a solid understanding of COBOL, JCL, DB2, and general mainframe architecture, often supported by a degree in computer science or related experience. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, TSO/ISPF, and source control systems such as Endevor or Changeman is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set top performers apart in this role. These abilities are critical for maintaining legacy systems, ensuring data integrity, and supporting business-critical operations in large organizations.

What tech jobs pay $400,000 a year?

Mainframe programmers with extensive experience, specialized skills in COBOL, and certifications can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $400,000 annually, especially in senior or leadership roles within large financial or government organizations. High compensation often depends on expertise, project complexity, and the ability to manage critical legacy systems.

What are some common challenges Mainframe Programmers face when working on legacy systems?

Mainframe Programmers often encounter challenges such as understanding complex, decades-old codebases written in languages like COBOL or Assembler, and integrating these systems with modern technologies. Documentation may be sparse or outdated, requiring strong problem-solving and analytical skills to decipher business logic. Additionally, coordinating with cross-functional teams—including business analysts, testers, and infrastructure specialists—is essential to ensure smooth system updates and migrations. Adaptability and effective communication are key to overcoming these obstacles and supporting mission-critical applications.

What are Mainframe Programmers?

Mainframe Programmers are specialized software developers who design, write, test, and maintain code for mainframe computer systems. These professionals primarily work with legacy programming languages such as COBOL, JCL, and sometimes Assembler, to ensure critical business applications run smoothly and securely. They are often employed in industries like banking, insurance, and government where mainframe systems remain essential for processing large volumes of transactions. Mainframe Programmers also troubleshoot system issues, optimize performance, and may assist in system upgrades or migrations.

Can mainframe be replaced by AI?

Mainframe programmers work with large-scale, legacy systems that often require specialized knowledge of COBOL, JCL, and mainframe environments. While AI can automate certain tasks like code analysis and testing, it is unlikely to fully replace mainframe programmers due to the complexity, stability, and critical nature of mainframe systems that demand expert oversight and maintenance.

What is the difference between Mainframe Programmer vs Mainframe Developer?

AspectMainframe ProgrammerMainframe Developer
Primary RoleWriting, testing, and maintaining mainframe codeDesigning and developing mainframe applications and systems
Skills & CertificationsCOBOL, JCL, DB2, certifications in mainframe technologiesSimilar skills, often with additional focus on system design and architecture
Work EnvironmentMainframe environments in banking, finance, governmentSame environments, with broader development responsibilities
Job FocusCode implementation and troubleshootingApplication development and system integration

While both roles work within mainframe environments and share skills like COBOL and JCL, Mainframe Programmers primarily focus on coding and maintenance, whereas Mainframe Developers are involved in designing and developing new applications and systems. The roles often overlap, but the developer role typically encompasses a broader scope in application lifecycle management.

What Does a Mainframe Programmer Do?

As a mainframe programmer, your job is to design and program applications for mainframe computers, which are powerful machines that help to run many commercial and industrial processes. In this role, you may conduct an analysis of existing software to ensure it is as error-free as possible, help test new software, and implement software in a way that makes it easy for users to access. Mainframe programmers often use coding languages like COBOL, C++, SQL, Java, and CLIST when programming software. Somewhat unusually, most companies prefer to stick with specific coding languages even when they are not necessarily the best language for the job in order to reduce complexity and the risk of errors.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe Programmer jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Mainframe Programmer jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Mainframe Programmer jobs in Iowa? For Mainframe Programmer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Programmer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Programmer jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Programmer job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,722 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Information Technology Specialist

Criminal Investigation & Law Enforcement | IRS Careers

West Des Moines, IA • On-site

$125K/yr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

WHAT IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?
A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions
  • Position(s) are to be filled in following area(s):
    • IT -

REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILSQualifications:

Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement..
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for this position, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined below:
Minimum requirements for Grade 12 and UP (GS or Equivalent) Applicants must have Information Technology related experience demonstrating each of the following nine competencies: 1) Attention to Detail, 2) Customer Service, 3) Decision Making, 4) Information Management, 5) Interpersonal Skills, 6) Oral Communication, 7) Problem Solving, 8)Team Work and 9) Technical Competence.
Specialized Experience GS-14 Level: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Leading or coordinating IT projects, application-related efforts, operational initiatives, or system-related activities that affect multiple users, teams, programs, or business processes. Applying IT principles, concepts, methods, and practices to evaluate requirements; resolve technical issues; guide system, application, or code testing and configuration decisions; and ensure technical documentation and federal cybersecurity, privacy, or regulatory requirements are addressed. Engaging customers, stakeholders, users, product or business owners, and technical teams to define business or technical requirements, communicate technical impacts, and guide delivery of secure, reliable, scalable IT solutions. Evaluating system, service, or application performance, availability, reliability, security controls, usability, and operational effectiveness; identifying risks, issues, defects, or gaps; and leading corrective actions or improvement efforts. Analyzing competing technical approaches and providing authoritative recommendations to management, stakeholders, or IT specialists on the selection, design, configuration, implementation, or improvement of IT solutions with organizational impact.

  • Led the planning, implementation, modernization, and maintenance of enterprise IBM mainframe environments, ensuring high availability, reliability, performance, and compliance with organizational and operational requirements.
  • Directed system upgrades, hardware refreshes, and infrastructure improvements to support mission-critical business operations and continuity of service.
  • Analyzed, diagnosed, and resolved complex issues involving IBM z/OS hardware, operating systems, and supporting infrastructure. Provided expert technical guidance and recommendations to senior leadership, systems programmers, engineers, and technical staff on system performance, operational readiness, risk mitigation, and strategic technology initiatives.
  • Served as an IBM z/OS Systems Programmer responsible for the installation, configuration, and integration of mainframe hardware and storage peripherals. Performed equipment planning, rack layout design, cabling coordination, power requirements analysis, and implementation activities to support enterprise computing operations.
  • Managed and maintained Input/Output Definition Files (IODFs) using Hardware Configuration Definition (HCD) and Hardware Configuration Manager (HCM), ensuring accurate hardware configuration, resource allocation, and system integrity across production and non-production environments.
  • Administered and configured Hardware Configuration Manager (HCM), Server Time Protocol (STP), cryptographic hardware, and Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility (ICSF) components to support secure, synchronized, and compliant enterprise mainframe operations.
  • Implemented and maintained Coupling Facilities and related Parallel Sysplex infrastructure, supporting high availability, workload balancing, data sharing, and enterprise resiliency. Planned, installed, configured, tested, and supported IBM mainframe software products and system-level components.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional technical teams, project stakeholders, and vendor service personnel to plan, coordinate, and execute hardware and software installations, system upgrades, maintenance activities, and problem resolution efforts. Fostered productive working relationships to ensure timely project completion and operational excellence.


AND
You must also meet the following requirement(s):

  • PERFORMANCE RATING: Current federal employees must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive consideration.
  • TIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT (TACA): By the closing date (or if this is an open continuous announcement, by the cut-off date) specified in this job announcement, current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, known as time after competitive appointment. For this requirement, a competitive appointment is one where you applied to and were appointed from an announcement open to "All US Citizens"
  • TIME IN GRADE (TIG): Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements. For positions above the GS-05,applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the grade you are applying for. For positions at the GS-05, you cannot advance to the GS-05 if you have held a GS-02 in the past 52 weeks. There is no TIG restriction for GS-02, 03, or 04 positions.
  • MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum age for federal employment is 18 years old, or at least 16 years old and have:
    • Graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
    • Completed a formal vocational training program; or
    • Received a statement from school authorities agreeing with your preference for employment rather than continuing your education.


For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

Education:A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
We recommend choosing an evaluator from a member organization of one of the following national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).Employment Type: OTHER