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Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for Mainframe Developer in United States are Human Resources & Staffing with a median total pay of $125,543, Financial Services with a median total pay of $117,796, Management & Consulting with a median total pay of $113,054, Personal Consumer Services with a median total pay of $105,044, and Information Technology with a median total pay of $104,391.
Mainframe Developer: Average Salary & Pay Trends 2026 | Glassdoor
How much does Mainframe Developer make?
Total pay range
$95K - $152K/yr
$119K/yrMedian total pay
Pay breakdown
$79K - $122K/yrBase pay
$16K - $30K/yrAdditional pay
How accurate is a total pay range of $95K-$152K/yr?
Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time.
About our data
Last updated Apr 10, 2025623 Salaries submitted
Confident
Frequently asked questions about Mainframe Developer salaries
The average salary for Mainframe Developer is $119,452 per year or $57 per hour, with top earners making up to $188,209 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $94,700 (25th percentile) to $152,200 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 623 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Mainframe Developer employees.
The highest salary for Mainframe Developer is $152,200 per year, $12,683 per month or $73 per hour.
The lowest salary for Mainframe Developer is $94,700 per year, $7,892 per month or $46 per hour.
Mainframe developers are paid well above average, often receiving six-figure salaries. The pay range reflects the demand for their skillset and the profitability of the products they develop. Candidates with prior experience in the field or higher levels of education generally receive higher salaries. Pay is expected to grow as the digital transformation reaches a global level. java developers can further increase their total pay by pursuing freelance consulting opportunities.
Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree. To remain competitive, job-seekers should consider specialization or skill-specific programs such as coding boot-camps or certifications.
Mainframe Developer salary in US
A Mainframe Developer salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Mainframe Developer in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $69,257 to $145,588 per year, based on 713 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Mainframe Developer in US can make a salary range of $79,417 to $127,736 with at least 5 years of experience, based on 9 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Mainframe Developer gets the highest compensation are Verizon Communications Inc., Morgan Stanley and Pyramid Consulting Inc.. Bigger companies typically pay 35.00% more than smaller companies for a Mainframe Developer.
Recent salaries shared by Mainframe Developer
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Mainframe Developer
|
10-14 years
$110K/yr
($110K • $0)
Cary, NC
submitted on Sep 17, 2024
$110K/yr
$110K • $0
Mainframe Developer
|
7-9 years
$81K/yr
($81K • $0)
Columbus, OH
submitted on Aug 16, 2024
$81K/yr
$81K • $0
Mainframe Developer
|
0-1 year
$122K/yr
($122K • $0)
Lisle, IL
submitted on Aug 12, 2024
$122K/yr
$122K • $0
Mainframe Developer
|
1-3 years
$69K - $80K/yr
Clinton, NJ
submitted on Jul 30, 2024
$69K - $80K/yr
Mainframe Developer
|
1-3 years
$69K/yr
($69K • $0)
Richfield, MN
submitted on Jun 1, 2024
$69K/yr
$69K • $0
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Mainframe Developer
|
15+ years
$112K/yr
($112K • $0)
Barnegat, NJ
submitted on Apr 8, 2024
$112K/yr
$112K • $0
Mainframe Developer
|
7-9 years
$123K/yr
($123K • $0)
United States Coast Guard - Air Station Sacramento