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Mainframe Systems Administrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Mainframe Systems Administrator information

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How much do mainframe systems administrator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe systems administrator in the United States is $51.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.63 and $64.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common career advancement opportunities for mainframe systems administrators?

Mainframe Systems Administrators often begin their careers handling routine maintenance and troubleshooting but can progress to senior administrator roles, systems architect positions, or specialize in performance optimization and security. With experience, there are opportunities to move into management roles such as Mainframe Operations Manager or IT Infrastructure Manager. Mainframe professionals are also valued in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government, where mainframe expertise remains crucial. Continued learning and certifications can help open doors to project leadership or specialized consultancy roles, making this a dynamic career path for those committed to ongoing growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mainframe systems administrator?

A successful Mainframe Systems Administrator typically possesses strong expertise in IBM z/OS or similar operating systems, proficiency in system monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintenance, often backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with mainframe management tools such as JCL, RACF, and various IBM utilities, as well as certifications like IBM Certified System Administrator, are highly valued. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for managing complex systems and collaborating with technical teams. These competencies are critical for ensuring system reliability, security, and optimal performance in enterprise environments.

Is a mainframe systems administrator hard to learn?

Mainframe systems administrators need to learn complex legacy systems, command-line interfaces, and specialized tools like z/OS. While the role requires technical skills and certifications, many find it manageable with dedicated training and hands-on experience, especially if they have a background in IT or programming. Learning curve varies based on prior knowledge and the complexity of the systems involved.

What is a mainframe systems administrator?

A Mainframe Systems Administrator is responsible for managing, maintaining, and optimizing mainframe computer systems that support critical business applications. They install, configure, and upgrade mainframe hardware and software, ensuring system reliability, security, and performance. Typical duties include monitoring system operations, troubleshooting technical issues, applying patches or updates, and coordinating with development and security teams. They also implement backup and recovery procedures to prevent data loss and downtime. This role is essential for organizations that rely on mainframe technology for high-volume transaction processing and large-scale data management.

More about Mainframe Systems Administrator jobs
Who are the top companies hiring for Mainframe Systems Administrator jobs? The top employers for Mainframe Systems Administrator jobs are:
What states have the most Mainframe Systems Administrator jobs? States with the most job openings for Mainframe Systems Administrator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Systems Administrator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Systems Administrator jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Mainframe Systems Administrator jobs? For Mainframe Systems Administrator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Systems Administrator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,357 per year, or $51.1 per hour.

Mainframe Systems Administrator

Western & Southern Financial Group

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Western & Southern Financial Group rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 304 rated insurance


Job description

Job Summary:
Western & Southern Financial Group is a Fortune 500 company dedicated to customer service and community involvement. They are seeking a Mainframe Systems Administrator to manage and maintain core z/OS and z/VM platforms, ensuring operational reliability and security for critical business applications.
Responsibilities:
• Manage and maintain core z/OS and z/VM platforms that support Western & Southern's critical business applications.
• Oversee system performance, capacity, security administration, and operational reliability.
• Monitor system health, implement maintenance and upgrades, and coordinate with internal IT teams on incident resolution.
• Ensure stable and compliant mainframe operations.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Manage and maintain core z/OS and z/VM platforms that support Western & Southern's critical business applications.
• Oversee system performance, capacity, security administration, and operational reliability.
• Monitor system health.
• Implement maintenance and upgrades.
• Coordinate with internal IT teams on incident resolution.
• Ensure stable and compliant mainframe operations.
• Enjoy deep technical problem-solving.
• Structured operational work.
• Maintain high-availability environments in a financial setting.
Preferred:
• Experience with z/OS: Core operating system administration and maintenance.
• Experience with z/VM: Virtualization management for mainframe workloads.
• Experience with JCL: Job control for batch processing and operational workflows.
• Experience with security administration and access management.
• Experience with SDSF/ISPF: System monitoring, analysis, and command interfaces.
• Experience with performance monitoring and capacity planning.
• Experience with mainframe automation tools (e.g., OPS/MVS, System Automation).
• Experience with networking and storage utilities supporting mainframe operations.
Company:
Western & Southern Financial Group is a network and insurance group. Founded in 1888, the company is headquartered in Cincinnati, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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