Cobol Programmer: Job Description, Key Skills, and Salary in 2022

A COBOL programmer is a technical professional whose primary skill is writing code in COmmon, Business-Oriented Language or COBOL, maintaining and testing COBOL codebases, and using relevant tools like ENDEVOR and Xpeditor. This article explains the job description of a COBOL programmer, the skills necessary for the job, and the salary levels for 2022. 

Job Description of a COBOL Programmer

A COBOL programmer is a technical professional whose primary skill is writing code in COmmon, Business-Oriented Language or COBOL, maintaining and testing COBOL codebases, and using relevant tools like ENDEVOR and Xpeditor. 

Common, Business-Oriented Language (COBOL) is a computer programming language that originated as a way for programmers to build programs that could run on several computers within the same enterprise. FORTRAN was its main rival at the time of its creation in 1959. In addition, unlike FORTRAN, it was designed for business rather than scientific applications.

COBOL was invented in 1959 by CODASYL and was partially based on Grace Hopper’s FLOW-MATIC programming language. It was created as part of a project by the United States Department of Defense to create a portable data processing programming language. The objective was to develop a language centered on business requirements. This entailed having English-like commands, the ability to handle massive volumes of data (for example, customer records), and significant reporting capabilities. 

COBOL programmers are people who work with and write programs using the COBOL programming language. They are often valuable for data science and corporate data processing. Typically, COBOL programmers create, build, and set up the code for new programs, evaluate them, and make any required revisions. 

With modern languages such as Java, Python, Swift, and many others receiving more attention than ever before during the era of social media and the fourth industrial revolution, the prevailing opinion is that COBOL is a dying language. However, this may not be entirely correct. 

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Why is COBOL important?

Despite being around for so many decades, COBOL remains a popular programming language and an important technical skill for developers. This is due to several reasons:

• Given that legacy code is vast and complex, it is often difficult to maintain. Since governments and businesses widely use COBOL, there are still numerous COBOL systems that they must maintain.
• As per Tom Taulli, the author of Modern Mainframe Development: COBOL, Databases, and Next-Generation Approaches, it facilitates over 80% of in-person financial services transactions and 95% of ATM swipes. It processes $3 trillion in commerce every day. Over 220 billion COBOL code streams exist, with 1.5 billion written each year.
• It is especially beneficial for simple procedures–such as percentage calculation or essential addition and subtraction – that must be applied on a large scale. 
• Since COBOL is clear to read and easy to comprehend, it is impossible to hide malicious or disruptive computer code within it. In addition, programming faults are easy to detect and rectify.

As a result, a COBOL programmer’s job is both rewarding and lucrative. The typical job responsibilities of a COBOL programmer include: 

1. Training and supervision

 A COBOL programmer’s job includes training the local programming employees in JCL and modifying COBOL coding to take advantage of the increased mainframe processing power. In some cases, programmers also provide UNIX training for new employees. In addition, they are supposed to supervise the work of junior application developers as required and provide them with valuable feedback on performance improvement. 

2. Implementing automation

COBOL programmers analyze and test code using automated techniques. In addition, they are responsible for designing a variety of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro tools to simplify reporting and assure data integrity, avoidance of overlap, and management control.

3. Code quality control

Programmers ought to set coding guidelines to protect code integrity. Apart from setting the guidelines, they check various COBOL programs for flaws and repair faulty lines accordingly. This includes modifying and running SAS, SQL, COBOL, and UNIX testing systems. Modern COBOL programmers may use test automation for this purpose. Programmers may use SQL queries to generate test data for quality assurance, and as necessary, they are also to assist with system and client integration testing efforts.

4. Leveraging code libraries for smooth functioning of systems

Programmers utilize code libraries that are compilations of different lines of code generated internally or made accessible as open-source to facilitate programming. Developing new code to handle data sharing between front-end and back-end systems lies under the responsibilities of a COBOL programmer. In addition, they also maintain the sub-system programs running in both batch and customer information control system (CICS) programming language across the system. 

5. Enhancement projects

An enhancement project is one in which new capabilities are added to an existing system. They might also involve correcting defects, adding recent reports, and modifying functionality to comply with revised business rules or needs. COBOL programmers are responsible for generating thorough analysis and design documentation for enhancement projects.

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6. Department collaboration

Programmers interact with the technical department staff for software development lifecycles, planning, development, scheduling, and applications. Good communication skills are essential in effective collaboration, especially for COBOL projects in DevOpsOpens a new window environments. 

7. Project planning

Before working on projects, programmers must collect all the appropriate data for the desired results. This involves understanding the application’s transactional requirements and collecting and defining system requirements, among other information. In other words, project management responsibilities are also part of the COBOL programmer’s job description. 

8. Web development

Importantly, COBOL programmers are expected to be proficient in web development using Web Focus, HTML, Java, and JavaScript. For those familiar with basic web application security concepts, it can be an added advantage. 

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Top 12 Skills to Acquire

The primary, mandatory skill to become a COBOL programmer is knowledge of COBOL as a scripting language. In addition to this, the job role requires:

1. Technical development skills 

To grasp the inner workings of computer systems and software, COBOL programmers must first and foremost acquire technical development expertise. They require these skills to troubleshoot problems and create new systems and applications. Such technical skills include math skills, knowledge of different computer programming languages (Visual Basic, CICS, TSO, COBOL, QMF, and JSL), etc.

2. Communication skills 

COBOL programmers must communicate with other team members and clients to comprehend project goals, obtain information, and present their work. Furthermore, they must provide the clients explanations about technical aspects and answer inquiries about their work. Keeping this in mind, the capacity to form constructive and productive relationships within a team or personally can come in handy. COBOL programmers with practical communication skills can effectively build trust with clients and colleagues, which can lead to promotions and professional growth. 

3. DevOps proficiency

While not a direct prerequisite, as businesses become more dependent on technology, the demand for COBOL programmers familiar with DevOps is likely to expand. DevOps is a software development approach that entails collaboration among developers and operations personnel. It seeks to increase the speed and quality of software development by combining these two professions. Aspiring COBOL programmers can also explore DevOps courses to upskill in this area.

4. Mainframe capabilities 

Mainframes are high-performance computers with plenty of memory and processors that can do billions of basic calculations and transactions in real-time. Big corporations utilize them for mission-critical applications, high transaction volumes, and reliable performance. They are built for intensive high-speed processing for large-scale computing needs that demand higher availability and security than a more miniature computer can provide. With mainframes supporting much of the world’s most critical IT infrastructure, excellent mainframe programming skills are essential for a COBOL programmer. 

5. Versatility and the ability to learn fast

Organizational needs constantly change as technology and processes evolve. To ensure that one’s work is up to date and effective, COBOL programmers must adapt to new technologies and methods. And the best way to do that is to keep up with the latest programming languages and tools as they become available. 

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6. DB2

IBM’s relational database management system called DB2 is a solution designed to run and operate software such as Windows, Unix, and Linux systems. This system was initially built for IBM but has now been adapted to work on various operating systems. The essential characteristic of the DB2 is its ability to handle and manage large amounts of data while allowing users to access the database engine easily.

7. XML 

XML is a data storage and transmission medium independent of software and hardware. XML is an abbreviation for eXtensible Markup Language. XML, like HTML, is a markup language for storing and transporting data. It was designed to be self-descriptive. The XML language has no predefined tags. Additionally, another advantage of XML is its extensibility. 

8. Knowledge of the software development life cycle

In software engineering, SDLC (an acronym for software development life cycle) is also called application development lifecycle. SDLC is a method that aids in the planning, testing, and administration of an information system. This method can be applied to both software and hardware and their combination. The SDLC is divided into six steps, beginning with analysis and concluding with evaluation. It also includes web application security. 

9. Excellent focus and concentration

COBOL programmers must be able to focus for extended periods while they work out problems and write lines of clean code. Furthermore, they must carefully review their code, as even a minor error can significantly impact the entire program. Thus, concentration and attention to detail are essential for a COBOL programmer.

10. Intellectual curiosity 

The most effective and successful programmers are adept at determining how something is done and devising ways to do it more effectively. A healthy sense of curiosity can aid in the consistent growth and development of a programmer. 

11. Problem-solving and mathematical skills

 Many elements of COBOL programming necessitate a more advanced understanding of math. To become proficient in programming, one must first master algebra and arithmetic. Furthermore, a code is frequently written to address a challenge. Therefore, a COBOL programmer must be able to identify problems and devise the most optimal solutions to fix them through programming. 

12. Knowledge of other programming languages

 Although COBOL programmers mainly work with one programming language, proficiency in different programming languages can go a long way career-wise. Codes are widely written in programming languages such as SQL, Java, C++, and Python. Even though programmers are expected to be experts in all these languages, knowledge in at least two of them can open up many career opportunities. A common approach amongst programmers is to first decide on an area of specialization and then focus on the programming languages widely utilized in that field.

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COBOL Programmer Salary in 2022

A COBOL programmer’s compensation can vary as per their level of education, years of experience, and the sort of corporation for which they work. Aside from the regular salary, many employees also receive extra rewards in the form of bonuses. While most COBOL programmers have a bachelor’s degree, some businesses hire candidates with a vocational degree or diploma, provided they have adequate field expertise. 

In software development, one’s programming skills are far more valuable than their degree. However, businesses require a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and can give applicants an edge over those without one.

Remember that COBOL programming is no longer included in most computer science degrees. Consequently, most COBOL experts today are older generation programmers and new-age aficionados, even though COBOL is expected to become popular soon. The majority of COBOL programmer salaries range from $79,000 (25th percentile) to $100,000 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) earning $110,000 per year.

They have a wide range of opportunities career-wise going forth, and they could become software developers or managers of the software engineering department. They may also advance to become senior software engineers or lead software developers as they gain expertise. Furthermore, some may also work as project managers in information technology.

The following are various Jobs taken up by COBOL programmers and their respective salaries, as per PayScale data last updated on May 02, 2022: 

• Senior programmer analyst: Their salaries range from $71k to $113k, averaging $91,063 per annum.
• Software developers with COBOL skills: Their salaries range from $50k to $98k, averaging $68,767 per annum.
• COBOL programmer analyst: Their salaries range from $53k to $109k, averaging $73,664 per annum.
• COBOL-focused software engineers: Their salaries range from $58k to $121k, averaging $81,972 per annum.
• Senior software engineer, developer, or programmer: Their salaries range from $71k to $118k, with an average of $95,687 per annum.
• Application developer: Their salaries range from $54k to $96k, averaging $71,008 per annum.

Aside from regular jobs, COBOL programmers also work as freelancers. The average freelancing rate for COBOL professionals is $125 per hour. 

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How to become a COBOL programmer? 

There are four broad steps candidates must take to secure a career as a COBOL engineer and earn the compensation mentioned above: 

• Tailor your education trajectory: COBOL programmers are often required to have a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, software engineering, or a related field. These curricula include essential programming modules such as software design, computer programming, database management, and mathematics.
• Obtain the appropriate experience: Typically, employers are more inclined to consider hiring an applicant with at least five years of relevant experience. However, a minimum of 10 years of experience may be required by certain businesses. 
• Seek training: COBOL programmers can acquire expertise as a computer programmer, a computer systems analyst, or in a related profession such as a computer systems engineer or a computer scientist. Courses in any of these fields can bolster existing programming knowledge.
• Ensure you have the right qualifications: Certifications are generally not required to become a COBOL programmer, although they can help someone stand out from the crowd. People with degrees often have an advantage in landing jobs at big enterprises.

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Takeaway

While COBOL is now rarely used in end-user app development, it remains a staple for mainframes and enterprise backends. A gradual decline in COBOL was precipitated by the Y2K bug, which had the potential to cause computing errors due to systematic flaws in COBOL-based systems. However, despite this, COBOL remained popular and was one of the most in-demand skills in the U.S. during the pandemic. In the future, candidates who balance next-gen skills like the cloud with COBOL programming will be particularly advantageous as they can help guide end-to-end digital transformation programs. 

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