Despite being a decades-old programming language, COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) remains vital in industries such as banking, government, and insurance. As legacy systems continue to require maintenance and modernization, the demand for COBOL programmers remains steady. In 2025, COBOL programmers can command competitive salaries due to a shrinking talent pool and the necessity of maintaining critical systems.
In this article, we explore the average COBOL programmer salary in 2025, factors influencing earnings, salary by experience, and the job market trends shaping the profession.
Average Salary for COBOL Programmers in 2025
COBOL programmers earn a competitive salary, often higher than modern programming roles due to their niche expertise. The salary range varies based on factors like experience, industry, and location.
- Entry-Level COBOL Programmer: $65,000 – $85,000 per year
- Mid-Level COBOL Programmer: $90,000 – $120,000 per year
- Senior COBOL Programmer: $120,000 – $150,000+ per year
Highest-Paying Sectors for COBOL Programmers
Certain industries offer higher salaries due to their reliance on legacy systems:
- Banking & Financial Services: $100,000 – $140,000
- Insurance & Healthcare: $90,000 – $130,000
- Government & Public Sector: $80,000 – $110,000
- Retail & Supply Chain: $75,000 – $100,000
Salaries may also be influenced by the urgency of replacing or integrating legacy systems with newer technologies.
Factors Influencing COBOL Programmer Salaries
1. Experience Level
- Junior programmers earn less due to their limited expertise.
- Mid-level programmers with hands-on experience in legacy system maintenance earn significantly more.
- Senior programmers or system architects can negotiate high salaries due to their expertise in COBOL modernization.
2. Industry Demand
- Banks and insurance companies rely on COBOL for transaction processing, making them the top-paying industries.
- Government agencies also require COBOL programmers but often pay slightly less than private-sector firms.
3. Location & Remote Work Trends
- High-demand locations like New York, California, and Texas offer better salaries.
- Many companies offer remote work, increasing job opportunities for programmers worldwide.
4. Additional Skills & Modernization Knowledge
- COBOL programmers who understand cloud migration, mainframe modernization, or integration with newer languages (Java, Python, C#) can command higher salaries.
- Knowledge of database systems (DB2, SQL), JCL (Job Control Language), and enterprise software can further boost earnings.
Salary by Experience
Entry-Level COBOL Programmer (0-3 Years)
- Salary Range: $65,000 – $85,000
- Works on maintaining legacy code and debugging issues under supervision.
- May need additional training in COBOL if transitioning from modern programming languages.
Mid-Level COBOL Programmer (4-10 Years)
- Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000
- Takes on system enhancements, performance optimization, and migration projects.
- Often responsible for documentation and liaising with other teams.
Senior COBOL Programmer (10+ Years)
- Salary Range: $120,000 – $150,000+
- Manages large-scale system upgrades, modernization efforts, and cloud integration.
- May lead teams and provide mentorship to junior programmers.
- Works closely with business analysts and stakeholders to align system improvements with company goals.
Job Market Trends for COBOL Programmers in 2025
Despite the push toward modern programming languages, COBOL remains critical due to legacy system dependencies. Here are key trends affecting COBOL jobs in 2025:
1. High Demand Due to Legacy Systems
- Over 70% of global financial transactions still rely on COBOL.
- Many government and enterprise systems run on COBOL, making modernization a complex and ongoing process.
2. COBOL Talent Shortage
- As senior COBOL programmers retire, fewer new programmers are entering the field, creating higher demand and salaries.
- Companies are offering training programs and COBOL boot camps to bridge the gap.
3. Modernization & Cloud Migration
- Businesses are integrating COBOL with cloud-based systems (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), requiring programmers with hybrid expertise.
- Mainframe-as-a-Service (MFaaS) solutions are on the rise, influencing how COBOL systems operate.
4. Remote Work & Global Hiring
- Many companies offer remote COBOL programming jobs, allowing international talent to fill U.S. job openings.
- Offshore outsourcing remains an option, though U.S.-based programmers often command higher salaries.Benefits for COBOL Programmers
Working as a COBOL programmer offers numerous advantages, including:
✔ Job Security – COBOL expertise remains rare and valuable.
✔ Competitive Salaries – Higher than average IT salaries due to niche skills.
✔ Remote Work Options – Many COBOL jobs allow for full-time remote work.
✔ Retirement & Health Benefits – Often employed in stable industries like banking and government, which offer strong benefits packages.
✔ Bonuses & Stock Options – Some companies offer additional compensation, especially for senior-level programmers.
Job Outlook for COBOL Programmers in 2025
Despite the rise of modern programming languages, the demand for COBOL programmers is expected to remain strong throughout 2025.
Key Reasons for Job Stability:
✅ COBOL still powers 95% of ATM transactions.
✅ Legacy banking, insurance, and government systems are costly to replace.
✅ Fewer new COBOL programmers mean higher salaries and job security.
✅ Hybrid roles (COBOL + modern tech) are on the rise.
Overall, COBOL programmers with modernization expertise will have the best career prospects.
Impact of Education and Certifications on Salary
While formal education is important, certifications and hands-on experience play a crucial role in salary increases.
Recommended Certifications for COBOL Programmers:
- IBM Certified Associate – COBOL Programmer (validates mainframe and COBOL expertise)
- Micro Focus COBOL Certification (helps in modernization projects)
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect (valuable for COBOL-cloud integration roles)
- CompTIA Security+ (beneficial for financial and government-sector COBOL programmers)
While a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is preferred, many companies focus on practical COBOL skills over formal education.
Conclusion
In 2025, COBOL programmers remain in high demand due to their expertise in maintaining legacy systems. The average salary ranges from $65,000 to $150,000+, depending on experience, industry, and location.
As modernization efforts continue, COBOL programmers who learn cloud integration, database management, and hybrid tech skills will command higher salaries and better job prospects.
For those interested in a stable, high-paying career, COBOL programming remains one of the most underrated yet lucrative fields in IT today.
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