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Entry Level Mainframe Developer Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Mainframe Developer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Mainframe Developer in the United States is $124,765 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

However, an Entry Level Mainframe Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,520
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,782 to $134,582
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,962
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Mainframe Developer Salaries

An Entry Level Mainframe Developer'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Mainframe Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Mainframe Developer'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $75,885
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,810
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $125,667
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,180
  • Expert (over 8 years): $164,610
Levels Salary
Revenue C... Level Entry Level Mainframe Developer$75,885
Revenue C... Level Entry Level Mainframe Developer$96,810
Entry Lev... Level Entry Level Mainframe Developer$125,667
Revenue C... Level Entry Level Mainframe Developer$140,180
Revenue C... Level Entry Level Mainframe Developer$164,610
View as Graph

How Do Entry Level Mainframe Developer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Level Mainframe Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $138,140.
  • California: $137,616.
  • Massachusetts: $135,782.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Mainframe Developers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $157,366
  • San Francisco: $155,643
  • Oakland: $152,363

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Mainframe Developer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.02% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 2.42% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.02%
Accounting 2.42%
Business Administration 1.88%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

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 Entry Level Mainframe Developer's salary.

  • Pricing: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Finance and Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Revenue Management: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Pricing $143,480
15%
Finance and Accounting $140,984
13%
Revenue Management $138,489
11%
Get Latest Data

Entry Level Mainframe Developer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Level Mainframe Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Mainframe Developer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Mainframe Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Level Mainframe Developer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$149,718$72.020%
Biotechnology$149,718$72.020%
Energy & Utilities$149,718$72.020%
Financial Services$149,718$72.020%
Healthcare$149,718$72.020%

Entry Level Mainframe Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level Mainframe Developer'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$111,782
Average $124,765/year
$134,582
$9,315
Average $10,397/month
$11,215
$2,150
Average $2,399/week
$2,588
$54
Average $60/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $134,582 $11,215 $2,588 $65
Average $124,765 $10,397 $2,399 $60
25th Percentile $111,782 $9,315 $2,150 $54

Most common benefits for Entry Level Mainframe Developer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Level Mainframe Developer

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Mainframe Developer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Level Mainframe Developer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Level Mainframe Developer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Mainframe Developer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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