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Permanent Cobol Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Engineer

Boiling Springs, PA ยท On-site

$47.50 - $61/hr

This position requires strong technical expertise in COBOL, CICS, TSO, and JCL, along with proven ... Non-citizens, including lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), are not eligible for this ...

Mainframe Developer

Spartanburg, SC

$47.75 - $61.50/hr

... Permanent Recruiting and Temp-to-Hire. In addition, our industry expertise and knowledge within ... A competent mainframe developer with COBOL, JCL, CICS, MQ, DB2, and Stored Procedures experiences.

And we do it every single day - for both temporary and permanent assignments and across virtually ... with COBOL programming in an IBM Mainframe Environment 3. At least 36 months experience with IBM ...

And we do it every single day - for both temporary and permanent assignments and across virtually ... with COBOL programming in an IBM Mainframe Environment utilizing TSO and MVS JCL 8. At least 84 ...

And we do it every single day - for both temporary and permanent assignments and across virtually ... COBOL programming, IBM MVS JCL and TSO in an IBM Mainframe Environment. 6. At least 48 months ...

Mainframe Developer with Base24

Charlotte, NC ยท On-site

$47.75 - $61.50/hr

... COBOL, TACL, C, SCOBOL & Operating System - Tandem Non Stop Kernel. * Should have worked with ... This is a Full Time Permanent job opportunity. * Only US Citizen , Green Card Holder , GC-EAD , H4 ...

Mainframe Developer with Base24

Charlotte, NC

$47.75 - $61.50/hr

... COBOL, TACL, C, SCOBOL & Operating System - Tandem Non Stop Kernel. * Should have worked with ... This is a Full-Time Permanent job opportunity for you. * Only US Citizen, Green Card Holder, TN ...

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Permanent Cobol Programmer information

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$40

$58

$95

How much do permanent cobol programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for permanent cobol programmer in the United States is $58.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.27 and $67.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical projects and responsibilities a Permanent COBOL Programmer can expect to encounter in a modern IT environment?

As a Permanent COBOL Programmer, you will often work on maintaining and enhancing legacy systems critical to business operations, such as financial or insurance applications. Your responsibilities typically include analyzing existing code, debugging, implementing updates, and ensuring integration with newer technologies or platforms. You'll collaborate closely with business analysts, QA testers, and sometimes newer language developers to meet project goals and regulatory requirements. Staying adaptable is important, as you may also participate in system migrations or modernization projects, which can be both challenging and rewarding in terms of professional growth.

Will AI replace COBOL programmers?

AI is unlikely to fully replace COBOL programmers in the near future because many legacy systems still rely on COBOL, and maintaining or updating these systems requires specialized knowledge. While AI can assist with code analysis and automation, human expertise is essential for complex problem-solving and system integration in COBOL environments.

Does anyone still program in COBOL?

Yes, COBOL programmers are still in demand for maintaining and updating legacy systems in finance, government, and insurance industries. Many organizations rely on COBOL for critical applications, and expertise in the language remains valuable for ongoing support and modernization projects.

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

To thrive as a Permanent Cobol Programmer, you need expertise in COBOL programming, mainframe systems, and a solid understanding of legacy business applications, usually backed by a degree in computer science or related experience. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, JCL (Job Control Language), and database systems such as DB2 is typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication help you excel when maintaining and upgrading critical business systems. These skills are vital for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of legacy operations that many organizations still depend on.

What are Permanent COBOL Programmers?

Permanent COBOL Programmers are full-time employees who specialize in using the COBOL programming language to develop, maintain, and update legacy software systems, often within industries like banking, insurance, and government. Unlike contractors or temporary staff, permanent COBOL programmers are typically long-term members of an organization, providing ongoing support and enhancements to critical business applications. Their responsibilities can include coding, system analysis, debugging, and collaborating with other IT professionals to ensure the reliability and efficiency of COBOL-based systems.

How much do COBOL programmers get paid?

The average salary for COBOL programmers varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually. Experienced programmers with specialized skills in legacy systems and mainframe environments tend to earn higher wages, especially in industries like finance and government that rely heavily on COBOL. Salaries may also include benefits such as bonuses and retirement plans.

Are COBOL programmers still in demand?

COBOL programmers are still in demand in industries such as banking, finance, and government, where legacy systems rely on COBOL code. Many organizations seek experienced programmers to maintain, update, and modernize these systems, often requiring knowledge of mainframe environments and debugging skills. While new development in COBOL is limited, the need for maintenance and migration projects sustains demand for skilled COBOL programmers.

What is the difference between Permanent Cobol Programmer vs Permanent Java Developer?

AspectPermanent Cobol ProgrammerPermanent Java Developer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in Computer Science or related field, with experience in COBOLSimilar degree requirements, with Java certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentMainly legacy systems in banking, finance, and government sectorsModern application development across various industries including tech, finance, and retail
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial institutions, government agencies, insurance companiesTech firms, startups, large corporations across multiple sectors

While both roles require programming skills and related credentials, Permanent Cobol Programmers focus on maintaining legacy systems in traditional industries, whereas Permanent Java Developers work on modern applications across diverse sectors.

More about Permanent Cobol Programmer jobs
What cities are hiring for Permanent Cobol Programmer jobs? Cities with the most Permanent Cobol Programmer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cobol Programmer jobs? The most popular types of Cobol Programmer jobs are:
What states have the most Permanent Cobol Programmer jobs? States with the most job openings for Permanent Cobol Programmer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Permanent Cobol Programmer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Permanent Cobol Programmer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Permanent Cobol Programmer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 38% Locum Tenens, 2% Internship, 9% As Needed, 24% Full Time, 4% Contract, and 23% Nights. Highlights an 78% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,161 per year, or $58.3 per hour.
Application Systems Analyst / Programming Manager

Application Systems Analyst / Programming Manager

InstantServe LLC

Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

The consultant will be working on the following but not limited to:
  • COBOL, CICS, DB2 queries, JCL, ZEKE.
  • Produce extensive reports and data exports.
  • Provide status reports as required by DMV personnel.
  • Log activity and time daily using DMV time tracking software (Jira).
  • Follow guidelines established by the Nevada DMV.
  • Support DMV IT teams as needed.
  • Document changes and follow protocols established by the Nevada DMV.
  • Promptly and accurately respond to Webex, MS Teams, emails, etc.
  • Interact with DMV IT teams and complete the assigned tasks in the scope of work
  • Strictly follow DMV IT standards and procedures
  • DB2 database and dataset backup and recovery.
  • Refresh data, as needed.
  • Clone and establish additional application environments, as needed.
  • Aid in data conversion projects and extract data to staging environments, as needed.
  • Maintain data privacy and security.
  • Support Application Lifecycle and application development tools, as needed.
  • Migrate database changes.
  • Document and update procedures and checklists.
  • Coordinate DR testing and support data conversion and migration.
  • Help DMV IT teams with SQL review and tuning.
  • Discuss business requirements and assist with application and database design.

Experience and Skills Required
  • Have the capability to perform the functions described in Scope of Work section.
  • Have relevant experience, with a minimum of nine (9) years in COBOL, CICS, DB2 queries, JCL.
  • Have experience working in complex DB2 environments with multiple subsystems.
  • Be experienced working on z/OS tools and utilities: TSO, ISPF, SDSF, JCL, RACF, REXX.
  • Be experienced with using DB2 tools: SPUFI, QMF or equivalent.
  • Be proficient with making entries in DB2 utilities.
  • Be able to work with the DMV IT teams to understand requirements and design databases.
  • Have expertise in evaluating and tuning SQL queries.
  • Have good knowledge of COBOL/CICS/DB2 application programming environment.
  • Have good communication, documentation and user requirement gathering skills.
  • Be proficient in analyzing, debugging, and troubleshooting issues and ABENDs.
  • Be a team player who can work with other contractors/consultants and permanent employees under a complex team structure.

Experience and Skills Preferred
  • Experience with PowerBuilder programming
  • Experience configuring DB2 Connect.
  • Experience working with Application Lifecycle Management tools like LCM, SCLM, RTC, or similar.

InstantServe logo

About InstantServe

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

InstantServe provides a one-stop solution to all Healthcare, IT/Non-IT Staffing needs. Established in 2016, InstantServe is a strong workforce of over 100+ go-getters with a demonstrated background in IT/Non-IT service. We are a nationally certified SBE from the Department of Administration (State of PA). As a proud Minority Woman Owned Small Business Enterprise (M/WBE), InstantServe boasts of a strong team of professionals who have extensive experience catering to several Federal, Public, Commercial, and Healthcare Clients which includes 26 States and 46 government agencies. InstantServe is a client-centric organization that offers cost-effective and reliable solutions. Client satisfaction is sacrosanct! Our team strives to provide the best staffing and IT solutions to take your business to the next level.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Wayne, PA, US

Year founded

2016

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