ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Mainframe Programmer Jobs in Cleveland, OH (NOW HIRING)

Ztek Consulting

Mainframe Developer onsite

Strongsville, OH · On-site

$45.25 - $58.25/hr

Role: Mainframe Developer onsite in Strongsville, OH / Pittsburgh, PA - Full-time 416306/-KV Must Have Technical/Functional Skills * Strong experience in COBOL and JCL. * Knowledge of mainframe ...

New

Accenture

Mainframe Specialist

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$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 ...

Huntington

Mainframe Systems Engineer III

Fairlawn, OH

$70K - $140K/yr

The Mainframe Systems Engineer III candidate must have experience in one or more of the following disciplines: z/OS installation and customization, storage management, hardware configuration ...

PNC Bank

Software Engineer Lead

Cleveland, OH

$86K - $158K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Mainframe COBOL Developer to join our technology team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, development, testing, and ...

PNC Bank

Software Engineer Lead

Strongsville, OH · On-site

$86K - $158K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Mainframe COBOL Developer to join our technology team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, development, testing, and ...

Maverick Direct Inc.

COBOL IDMS/ADSO

Cleveland, OH

$48.75 - $66/hr

Qualifications Required skills The successful candidate needs at least 5-8 years of mainframe COBOL, IDMS/ADSO computer programming, systems design, and analysis experience. MVS, JCL, TSO are also ...

Huntington

Site Reliability Engineer

Akron, OH

$54.50 - $72.50/hr

Support Mainframe technologies including z/OS, MVS, CICS, MQ, DB2, COBOL, JCL, TSO/ISPF, Easytrieve, IBM Utilities, SORT, FileAid, Xpediter, ChangeMan, AbendAid, and related tools. * Monitor and ...

Huntington

Site Reliability Engineer

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$55.25 - $73.25/hr

Support Mainframe technologies including z/OS, MVS, CICS, MQ, DB2, COBOL, JCL, TSO/ISPF, Easytrieve ... Understanding of SRE concepts including SLI, SLO, SLA, Reliability Engineering, and Operational ...

Huntington

Site Reliability Engineer

Fairlawn, OH

$57K - $113K/yr

Support Mainframe technologies including z/OS, MVS, CICS, MQ, DB2, COBOL, JCL, TSO/ISPF, Easytrieve, IBM Utilities, SORT, FileAid, Xpediter, ChangeMan, AbendAid, and related tools. * Monitor and ...

Huntington

Site Reliability Engineer

Cleveland, OH

$57K - $113K/yr

Support Mainframe technologies including z/OS, MVS, CICS, MQ, DB2, COBOL, JCL, TSO/ISPF, Easytrieve, IBM Utilities, SORT, FileAid, Xpediter, ChangeMan, AbendAid, and related tools. * Monitor and ...

PNC Bank

Software Engineer Principal

Strongsville, OH

$124K - $167K/yr

As a Software Engineer Principle at PNC, you will have the following: Key Responsibilities ... to end mainframe legacy Cobol application solutions. Serve as the technical authority for ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsMainframe Programmer JobsMainframe Programmer Jobs in Cleveland, OH

Mainframe Programmer information

See Cleveland, OH salary details

$37

$52

$64

How much do mainframe programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe programmer in Cleveland, OH is $52.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.62 and $61.20 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.
More about Mainframe Programmer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Mainframe Programmer jobs in Cleveland, OH? For Mainframe Programmer jobs in Cleveland, OH, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Programmer jobs in Cleveland, OH look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Programmer jobs in Cleveland, OH are:
Mainframe Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mainframe Programmer job openings in Cleveland, OH as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 11% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,995 per year, or $52.4 per hour.

Mainframe Developer onsite

Ztek Consulting

Strongsville, OH • On-site

$45.25 - $58.25/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Role: Mainframe Developer onsite in Strongsville, OH / Pittsburgh, PA - Full-time

Job description: 416306/-KV

Must Have Technical/Functional Skills

  • Strong experience in COBOL and JCL.
  • Knowledge of mainframe utilities and tools (e.g., IDCAMS, SORT).
  • Experience with DB2, IMS, or VSAM databases.
  • Familiarity with CICS (Customer Information Control System).
  • Understanding of batch processing and scheduling tools (e.g., Control-M).
  • Ability to debug and analyze legacy code.
  • Good problem-solving and analytical skills

Roles & Responsibilities:

  • Design, develop, and maintain mainframe applications using languages like COBOL, JCL, PL/I, and Assembler.
  • Analyze business requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
  • Perform coding, testing, debugging, and troubleshooting of applications.
  • Work with databases such as DB2, IMS, and VSAM.
  • Develop and manage batch and online processing programs.
  • Monitor system performance and ensure stability and efficiency.
  • Conduct code reviews and implement best practices.
  • Collaborate with business analysts, testers, and other developers.
  • Provide support for production issues and perform incident resolution

Apply