Mainframe Systems Programmer Salary in the United States

How much does a Mainframe Systems Programmer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mainframe Systems Programmer in the United States is $83,185 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Mainframe Systems Programmer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,111
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,419 to $89,951
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,349
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View as table View as graph 25% $75,419 10% $68,349 90% $96,111 75% $89,951 $83,185 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mainframe Systems Programmer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $89,951 $7,496 $1,730 $43
Average $83,185 $6,932 $1,600 $40
25th Percentile $75,419 $6,285 $1,450 $36
Check out Mainframe Systems Programmer Job Openings in the United States
MAINFRAME zOS SYSTEMS SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Freedom Staffing LLC - EAGAN, MN

Systems Programmer

Client Solution Architects LLC - DAHLGREN, VA

Security Systems Programmer

MCS of Tampa, Inc - TAMPA, FL

Senior Systems Programmer

Futron Incorporated - WOODBRIDGE, VA

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Key Factors That Influence Mainframe Systems Programmer Salaries

A Mainframe Systems 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.

How Experience Level Affects Mainframe Systems Programmer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mainframe Systems 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $80,066
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $80,305
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $83,185
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $85,971
  • Expert (over 8 years): $86,170
Levels Salary
Entry Level Mainframe Systems Programmer$80,066
Intermediate Level Mainframe Systems Programmer$80,305
Senior Level Mainframe Systems Programmer$83,185
Specialist Level Mainframe Systems Programmer$85,971
Expert Level Mainframe Systems Programmer$86,170
$80,066 0 yr
$80,305 < 2 yrs
$83,185 2-4 yrs
$85,971 5-8 yrs
$86,170 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Mainframe Systems Programmer 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 Mainframe Systems Programmers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $92,103.
  • California: $91,753.
  • Massachusetts: $90,531.

Top Paying Cities for Mainframe Systems Programmers

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: $104,922
  • San Francisco: $103,890
  • Oakland: $101,586

What Skills Can Increase a Mainframe Systems Programmer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 28.74% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 2.72% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components. Software development is a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense, it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products. Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common being to meet specific needs of a specific client/business (the case with custom software), to meet a perceived need of some set of potential users (the case with commercial and open source software), or for personal use (e.g. a scientist may write software to automate a mundane task). Embedded software development, that is, the development of embedded software, such as used for controlling consumer products, requires the development process to be integrated with the development of the controlled physical product. System software underlies applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 28.74%
Computer Science 2.72%
Software Development 1.19%
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 a Mainframe Systems Programmer's salary.
  • Network Design: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Process Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Network Design
 $98,991
19%
Process Management
 $93,168
12%
Project Management
 $89,840
8%
SMTP
 $89,008
7%
Commitment
 $89,008
7%
Leadership
 $89,008
7%
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How Education impacts a Mainframe Systems Programmer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mainframe Systems 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 a Mainframe Systems Programmer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $76,470 and $82,246).

Mainframe Systems Programmer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mainframe Systems 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%
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Mainframe Systems Programmer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mainframe Systems 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$75,419
Average $83,185/year
$89,951
$6,285
Average $6,932/month
$7,496
$1,450
Average $1,600/week
$1,730
$36
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,951 $7,496 $1,730 $43
Average $83,185 $6,932 $1,600 $40
25th Percentile $75,419 $6,285 $1,450 $36

Salaries of jobs related to Mainframe Systems Programmer

Salary Trends for Mainframe Systems Programmer

Salaries for a Mainframe Systems Programmer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $102,299 in 2023 to around $102,156 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mainframe Systems Programmer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Mainframe Systems Programmer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$102,299
2024
$103,270
2025
$102,156
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $102,299
2024 $103,270
2025 $102,156
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Mainframe Systems Programmer

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