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Although there is perceived demand, COBOL jobs pay very poorly. Like $50K. Exception of course for consultants with a following, and customers that believe yo

Although there is perceived demand, COBOL jobs pay very poorly. Like $50K. Exception of course for consultants with a following, and customers that believe you have 'unicorn' skills. One advantage is the software stack is mature and not subject to fads and fashion.

sigzero 7y ago
This is the first post I have ever read that stated: "COBOL jobs pay very poorly".
- the_af 7y ago
  If it helps, it's my experience as well. COBOL consultancy is a niche, but one that pays poorly (against what internet common sense would have you believe). All the COBOL consultants I know are not doing particularly well; they are mostly old guys who naturally ended up in that role. They occasionally must switch jobs when their services are no longer needed. The new jobs don't pay well either. They usually do not want or can learn new skills. There is young blood learning COBOL, but really, they don't stay long doing that. If you're young and in tech, there's a world of more exciting opportunities out there.
  - ivanhoe 7y ago
    There's also a lot more competition. Question is just how hard is it to get outsourcing contracts in COBOL world?
    - the_af 7y ago
      Young people tend to prefer excitement to lack of competition. COBOL has a terrible rap, so the kind of young people who would still work with it are a self-selecting group... in a bad way.
K0SM0S 7y ago
> mature and not subject to fads and fashion Understatement of the year! (lol) Joke aside, 100% with you on this. Not sure about the pay, here in Luxembourg (lots of banks) it seems alright compared to other domains of programming. It's easier when your problem space has been relatively identified for the past 20 years or so. Quite a different conundrum for e.g. Python or the (in)famous Js situation-s (coughTs) I tend to have respect and admire historical 'niches' like COBOL systems when they speak of such amazingly sustainable designs, resilience that outlive human careers, lives even — like big old trees. There's something noble about working these, me thinks. How will it feel to interact with a centennial system come 2100-ish? I'd wager mind-numbingly tedious and a privilege all at once. (unless we've solved "legacy" by then, who's with me? ok, Go :=)
artimaeis 7y ago
I suspect you're right that the median is low-ish, but if you're able to convince any of the major banks or bank-IT firms in the US that you're reasonably able to solve their problems with COBOL, there's no shortage of jobs in the $150-200k range -- which is insanely high for engineering jobs on the east coast.
OGWhales 7y ago
I got hired as a COBOL dev just recently, in a low cost of living area, fresh out of college, for 55k. Salary will certainly go up. I see average in my state as 70-90k/year with some experience. I agree cobol dev's salary aren't absurd, it is slightly below other dev positions. There is an opportunity for lots of money, but it comes with immense experience and understanding of specific business logic. Overall, it's not bad pay for having a pretty easy and consistent workflow. And no fads to deal with.

sigzero 7y ago

This is the first post I have ever read that stated: "COBOL jobs pay very poorly".

the_af 7y ago
If it helps, it's my experience as well. COBOL consultancy is a niche, but one that pays poorly (against what internet common sense would have you believe). All the COBOL consultants I know are not doing particularly well; they are mostly old guys who naturally ended up in that role. They occasionally must switch jobs when their services are no longer needed. The new jobs don't pay well either. They usually do not want or can learn new skills. There is young blood learning COBOL, but really, they don't stay long doing that. If you're young and in tech, there's a world of more exciting opportunities out there.
- ivanhoe 7y ago
  There's also a lot more competition. Question is just how hard is it to get outsourcing contracts in COBOL world?
  - the_af 7y ago
    Young people tend to prefer excitement to lack of competition. COBOL has a terrible rap, so the kind of young people who would still work with it are a self-selecting group... in a bad way.

K0SM0S 7y ago

> mature and not subject to fads and fashion Understatement of the year! (lol) Joke aside, 100% with you on this. Not sure about the pay, here in Luxembourg (lots of banks) it seems alright compared to other domains of programming. It's easier when your problem space has been relatively identified for the past 20 years or so. Quite a different conundrum for e.g. Python or the (in)famous Js situation-s (coughTs) I tend to have respect and admire historical 'niches' like COBOL systems when they speak of such amazingly sustainable designs, resilience that outlive human careers, lives even — like big old trees. There's something noble about working these, me thinks. How will it feel to interact with a centennial system come 2100-ish? I'd wager mind-numbingly tedious and a privilege all at once. (unless we've solved "legacy" by then, who's with me? ok, Go :=)

artimaeis 7y ago

I suspect you're right that the median is low-ish, but if you're able to convince any of the major banks or bank-IT firms in the US that you're reasonably able to solve their problems with COBOL, there's no shortage of jobs in the $150-200k range -- which is insanely high for engineering jobs on the east coast.

OGWhales 7y ago

I got hired as a COBOL dev just recently, in a low cost of living area, fresh out of college, for 55k. Salary will certainly go up. I see average in my state as 70-90k/year with some experience. I agree cobol dev's salary aren't absurd, it is slightly below other dev positions. There is an opportunity for lots of money, but it comes with immense experience and understanding of specific business logic. Overall, it's not bad pay for having a pretty easy and consistent workflow. And no fads to deal with.