As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer in the United States is $82,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Intermediate Mainframe Programmer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $89,400 | $7,450 | $1,719 | $43 |
| Average | $82,800 | $6,900 | $1,592 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,800 | $6,233 | $1,438 | $36 |
An Intermediate Mainframe Programmer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Intermediate Mainframe Programmer | $80,173 |
| Intermediate Level Intermediate Mainframe Programmer | $80,412 |
| Senior Level Intermediate Mainframe Programmer | $83,293 |
| Specialist Level Intermediate Mainframe Programmer | $86,051 |
| Expert Level Intermediate Mainframe Programmer | $86,248 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 28.74% |
| Computer Science | 2.72% |
| Software Development | 1.19% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Network Design | $98,532 | |
| Process Management | $92,736 | |
| Project Management | $89,424 |
Intermediate Mainframe Programmer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $92,438. While startup companies pay approximate $78,271.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $78,271 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $82,762 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $89,256 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $92,438 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Mainframe Programmers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $76,222 and $81,948).
| Typical Education for Intermediate Mainframe Programmer | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 16.1% |
| High School | 16.1% |
| Associates | 16.1% |
| Bachelors | 51.6% |
| Masters | 16.1% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $89,400 | $7,450 | $1,719 | $43 |
| Average | $82,800 | $6,900 | $1,592 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,800 | $6,233 | $1,438 | $36 |
Next Role
Advancement
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Application Programmer Analyst III | $122,600 | 48% |
| Software Research and Design Architect III | $128,700 | 55% |
| Backend Applications Developer III | $127,700 | 54% |
| Full Stack Engineer Senior | $128,500 | 55% |
Salaries for an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $102,587 in 2023 to around $102,443 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Intermediate Mainframe Programmer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $102,587 |
| 2024 | $103,560 |
| 2025 | $102,443 |
| 2026 |
View More
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| 2027 |
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Mainframe Programmer roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.
The salary for an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer with 2 years of experience typically ranges from ₹72,000 to ₹94,700, with a mid-salary of ₹81,900. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, aligning with industry standards for similar experience levels.
Yes, mainframe programmers are still in demand due to the critical role they play in maintaining legacy systems for many large organizations. With a salary range from $72,000 to $94,700, these professionals are essential for ensuring the stability and efficiency of mainframe operations, making their skills highly sought after in the job market.
The salary for an Intermediate Mainframe Programmer with around 10 years of experience typically ranges from ₹72,000 to ₹94,700 annually. This reflects the growing demand and expertise in the field, with a mid-salary of approximately ₹81,900.
A mainframe developer at US Bank typically earns between $72,000 and $94,700 annually, with a median salary of around $81,900. This range reflects the competitive nature of the field, influenced by factors such as experience and location.
Intermediate Mainframe Programmers in the US earn a salary range of $72,000 to $94,700, with a median salary of $81,900. While this is competitive, it is lower than the average salaries for Python software engineers, who can earn between $104,000 and $200,000 due to high demand for their skills in various applications.
Yes, mainframe programmers can earn a competitive salary. The salary data indicates that the minimum salary is $72,000, the mid-range salary is $81,900, and the maximum salary reaches $94,700. This range reflects the specialized skills required in this field, making it a lucrative career choice.
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