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Mainframe Programmer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Accenture

Mainframe Specialist

Herndon, VA

$70K - $196K/yr

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

TekCommands Inc

Sr Mainframe Developer / Support

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Experience in mainframe systems Experience in Application Support Strong communication skills A minimum 8 - 10 years of systems analysis/application development experience Background in development ...

Avance Consulting Services

MainFrame

Mclean, VA · On-site

It provides strategic business consulting, technology, engineering and outsourcing services to help ... Qualifications MainFrames,Cobol,JCL,ISPW Additional Information All your information will be kept ...

Stem Xpert

Mainframe Tester

Mclean, VA

... engineering and systems integration. Our tightly integrated offerings are tailored to each clients ... Title: Mainframe Tester Location: Mclean VA and Alpharetta, GA No of Positions: 2 Position type:

IBM

Mainframe Modernization SME/ Secret Clearance

Hampton, VA · On-site

$47.25 - $61/hr

... CD pipeline engineering. * Ability to read, analyze, and decompose production COBOL programs, JCL jobs, VSAM datasets, copybooks (COPY/COPYLIB), and embedded SQL. Understand mainframe batch ...

Posted today

Artech Information System LLC

mainframe lead

Richmond, VA

$48.50 - $62.25/hr

TITLE: Mainframe Lead/ Technical Team Leader Mainframe DURATION:1 +YEAR Location: RICHMOND,VA Required skills Strong Environment Management Skills. 2. COBOL, JCL, CA7, DB2, IMS DB/DC 3. Good ...

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Mainframe Programmer information

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$38

$53

$66

How much do mainframe programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe programmer in Virginia is $53.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.73 and $62.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 is a mainframe programmer?

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.

Is a mainframe programmer in demand?

Mainframe programmers are still in demand in industries such as finance, insurance, and government that rely on legacy systems. They typically need skills in COBOL, JCL, and mainframe environments, and demand remains steady due to the ongoing need to maintain and update existing mainframe applications.

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 is a mainframe programmer's salary?

A mainframe programmer's salary 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.
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Mainframe Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mainframe Programmer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,592 per year, or $53.6 per hour.

Sr Mainframe Developer

Genius Business Solutions

Mclean, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

About Genius Business Solutions Inc. (GBSI)
Featured in CNBC, Digital Journal, Fox News, and CIO Review, GBSI is a globally recognized IT services leader with 20+ years serving Fortune 500 organizations. Our teams deliver solutions across automotive, manufacturing, retail, and pharmaceutical industries. Headquartered in Moline, IL, GBSI supports clients and consultants throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and India.
Join our innovative team to lead enterprise-grade SAP solutions and drive digital transformation initiatives across global enterprises.
Job Summary
We are seeking a seasoned Mainframe Application Support Specialist with 8-10 years of experience in systems analysis and development. The role requires strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, DB2, and related mainframe tools. Candidates must have prior banking domain experience, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to investigate complex business cases.
Mandatory skills:
Experience in mainframe systems
Experience in Application Support
Strong communication skills
Key Responsibilities
1. 10 years of systems analysis/application development experience
2. Strong background in core Mainframe systems development
3. Expertise in COBOL, CICS, JCL, VSAM, DB2
4. Knowledge of Easytrieve, CA-7; exposure to CICS (nice to have), PANVALET, XPEDITOR, PANAPT, FILEAID
5. Experience with file structures (VSAM, GDG, Fixed Block, Variable Block), ISPF, TSO, FTP
6. Exposure to JCL program execution and COBOL-DB2 coding
7. Application development using CICS
8. Experience with processing VSAM datasets and dataset allocation, ISPF/PDF
9. Familiarity with Easytrieve & REXX (good to have)
10. Experience with job scheduling, incident management, and problem management
11. Ability to investigate complex business cases and explain via code analysis
12. Previous banking domain experience is compulsory
13. Contribution to both development and production support teams
14. Strong problem-solving skills for issue resolution
15. Experience with documentation and document repositories
16. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Equal Employment Opportunity
GeniusBSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation.
All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

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