What Is a Mainframe Developer?

Thanks to the rise of cloud computing, mainframes aren’t as common as they once were. However, many of the largest corporations in the world still rely on these on-premises machines to handle their computing power securely and with scalability. This continued use translates to an ongoing need for the services of a qualified mainframe developer. 

Explore how to become a mainframe developer, what the job entails, and more.  

What is a mainframe computer?

A mainframe computer—which you might also refer to as a server—is a large, high-performing computer with memory and data processors needed to handle enormous amounts of simple calculations and data processing tasks. This power allows them to handle billions of calculations and transactions at once without becoming overloaded, so multiple users can leverage the mainframe to access a wide range of applications. 

It does all this without compromising computing performance and security. Additionally, today’s mainframe computers can safely and dependably handle upward of one trillion daily transactions [1]. These mainframes will generally be in an organization’s data center alongside other systems. 

Read more: How Much Do Mainframe Developers Make? Salary Guide

What does a mainframe developer do?

A mainframe developer is a software developer who focuses their training and skill set on working specifically with mainframes. As a mainframe developer, you’ll perform many tasks similar to a software developer with additional duties, such as the following: 

• Writing and testing code 

• Collaborating with other developers so mainframe components operate properly

• Creating and installing new applications

• Maintaining, updating, and modifying applications

• Preparing technical or functional specifications for programs

• Making recommendations for cost-effective project proposals

• Coordinating on-call support

• Monitoring unit test completion

• Evaluating the impact of change requests

Mainframe developer average salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for mainframe developers in the US is $119,948 per year [2]. This figure includes an average base salary of $100,241 and $19,707 in additional pay. Additional pay may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses.

Mainframe developers have a positive growth outlook, and this role can be grouped with general software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates 25 percent job growth for jobs under this career umbrella from 2022 through 2032, which is much faster than the average [3]. 

Mainframe developer skills

While mainframe developers are very similar to software developers, they apply these skills specifically toward mainframes. In this position, you’ll need a combination of technical and workplace skills. 

Technical skills

Some technical skills a mainframe developer might need include the following:

Full understanding of various mainframe applications, tools, and languages, including: 

• Database 2 (Db2)

• REXX

• COBOL

• Job control language (JCL)

• Customer information control system (CICS)

• Structured query language (SQL)

• Virtual storage access method (VSAM)

• IBM mainframe

• SQL processor using file input (SPUFI)

• Application development

• Debugging

Workplace skills

Additionally, mainframe developers may need workplace skills such as the following:

• Communication

• Time management

• Open-mindedness

• Collaboration

• Accountability

• Adaptability

• Problem-solving

• Analytical thinking

• Emotional intelligence

Read more: What Are Job Skills and Why Do They Matter?

What are the roles of a mainframe team?

A mainframe developer team often includes four other vital roles. Let’s review these roles in more detail. 

1. System programmer

The system programmer plays a pivotal role within the mainframe team by installing, customizing, and maintaining the mainframe’s operating system. Without the operating system, the mainframe computer wouldn’t function as intended—much like any laptop or personal computer. They also install and upgrade products that run on the system.

Read more: What Is System Programming?

2. System administrator

The system administrator’s role is similar to the system programmer's, and their differences will vary by organization. Generally, smaller IT organizations will use the system administrator title to describe someone who handles the system programmer responsibilities and other mainframe tasks. 

In a larger organization, though, the system administrator may have a more distinct role, focusing primarily on maintaining the critical business data stored in the mainframe. Also, a system administrator will have more experience with mainframe applications, whereas a system programmer will have more hardware and software experience. 

Read more: What Does a System Administrator Do? Your Career Guide

3. System operator

A system operator—a sysop—monitors and controls the mainframe hardware and software operation and executes commands on large back-end computers. They start and stop system tasks, monitor for abnormal conditions, review the application and system logs to confirm complete work, and install and upgrade software while maintaining current licenses. 

Overall, a sysop collaborates with other IT staff to maintain the health and standard operation of the system.

4. Production control analyst

The production control analyst ensures batch workloads are complete and free of errors and delays. They help reduce outages by using proper procedures to perform batch workloads every time. At one time, mainframe systems could batch updates during the night while user interest was low. As the economy becomes increasingly globalized, this downtime no longer exists as one area’s downtime becomes another area’s busy daytime. Production control analysts manage this environment and make changes when they see an opportunity for improvement while following well-structured rules when doing so.

What are mainframe workloads?

Mainframe workloads refer to the processing tasks mainframe computers complete. They generally fall into one of two categories: batch processing or online transaction processing. 

Batch processing

Batch processing occurs when a server processes a large amount of data simultaneously. For example, a retail store processes all of its daily sales data overnight or another organization processes its quarterly sales reports. 

Online transaction processing

Like batch processing, online transaction processing is still data processing. However, the mainframe processes this data interactively with the end user. For example, a user in a retail store pulls credit card payment information from a specific time to find one transaction. 

Mainframe developer career path

Becoming a mainframe developer requires proper education, skills, and experience tuned toward mainframes. You’ll typically need to start at an entry-level software development role to gain experience. Once you transition into the mainframe developer role, you can aim to advance into higher-level positions such as senior software engineer, team leader, or project manager.

Now, you can review the specifics of how to become a mainframe developer and the career path next.

Education

The typical education requirement for a mainframe developer is a bachelor’s degree in a major such as computer science, computer information systems, or electrical engineering. According to Zippia, 76 percent of all mainframe developers have a bachelor’s degree, while another 14 percent have a master’s. You may be able to land this role with an associate degree, which 6 percent of mainframe developers have [4]. 

Experience

Getting your bachelor’s degree in a subject like software engineering or computer science is a great start. You'll typically need to work at least three to four years in a software developer role. In this entry-level role, you’ll become familiar with industry procedures and program development techniques and gain valuable real-world experience you’ll use in mainframe development. 

While you gain this necessary experience as a software developer, you can also work toward mainframe-development-focused certifications, such as the IBM Certified Administrator - Db2 12 for z/OS. With software development experience and mainframe-focused certifications, you’re prepared to start applying for mainframe developer roles. 

Career growth

Once you’re in the mainframe developer career, you’ll typically work for at least two years in an entry-level role before transitioning into a more senior-level position. Then, you can anticipate working around five years in each senior role before advancing to the next one. To help you earn these promotions, you may need additional education in the form of a master’s degree or certifications.

Getting started with Coursera

Mainframes remain popular for many of the world’s largest corporations despite many smaller organizations migrating to cloud computing. A mainframe developer job may suit you if you’re looking for a technical role within a large corporation. In this role, you’ll use your talents to help ensure some of the world’s largest and most complex business computer systems can process payroll, retrieve information, and utilize applications for scientific and engineering purposes, among other tasks.

Ready to continue learning about mainframes? Get a feel for this role with the IBM z/OS Mainframe Practitioner Professional Certificate or Getting Started on Mainframe with z/OS Commands and Panels on Coursera. Upon completing either programs, gain a shareable Professional Certificate to include in your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.