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Job outlook for mainframe systems administrators in the United States
Are mainframe systems administrator jobs in demand?
Mainframe systems administrator job and salary trends over time
Mainframe systems administrator jobs over time
Mainframe systems administrator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 36 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 41 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 24 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 29 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 29 | 0.00% |
Average mainframe systems administrator salary over time
Mainframe systems administrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,619 | $44.53 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $89,567 | $43.06 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $87,539 | $42.09 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $86,526 | $41.60 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $85,032 | $40.88 | +2.4% |
Mainframe systems administrator jobs by state
Most common states for mainframe systems administrators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 263 | 38% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 179 | 24% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 303 | 23% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 145 | 23% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 169 | 22% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,232 | 20% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 209 | 20% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 113 | 20% |
| 9 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 390 | 19% |
| 10 | Delaware | 961,939 | 180 | 19% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 166 | 19% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,326 | 18% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,009 | 18% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 731 | 18% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,216 | 17% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 320 | 17% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,396 | 16% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 476 | 15% |
| 19 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 439 | 15% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 260 | 15% |
Most common cities for mainframe systems administrators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $105,516 |
| 2 | Irving | 3 | 1% | $77,511 |
| 3 | Columbus | 1 | 1% | $74,101 |
| 4 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $82,527 |
| 5 | Springfield | 1 | 1% | $85,969 |
| 6 | Tallahassee | 1 | 1% | $87,146 |
| 7 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $74,082 |
| 8 | Birmingham | 1 | 0% | $98,850 |
| 9 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $93,472 |
| 10 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $87,281 |
| 11 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $85,239 |
| 12 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $84,150 |
| 13 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $89,541 |
| 14 | Sacramento | 1 | 0% | $127,891 |
| 15 | Saint Paul | 1 | 0% | $90,503 |
| 16 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $111,610 |
| 17 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $96,039 |
Mainframe Systems Administrator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of mainframe systems administrator experts
Tarleton State University
California Baptist University
Doane University
Appalachian State University
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy
Assistant ProfessorTarleton State University
Public Administration
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mainframe Systems Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy: I think one of the most significant changes to the job market is how the pandemic forced employers to do business virtually if they wanted to do business at all. For non-essential businesses, they had to find a way for employees to work at home if they wanted employees to keep working. This means that jobs that were originally considered location-bound were found to be done remotely, some with little to no modifications.
What this means is that some employers have reconsidered the costs of maintaining physical office space for workers that could telecommute and would rather work at home. Instead of paying rent and utilities for all employees to work in cubicles, they could export those costs to the employee using the spare bedroom they pay for, and home internet, phone, power, the water they pay for themselves. This cost-saving epiphany could affect employers and jobseekers alike in several ways. If a job can be done from anywhere, it means that those who are interested in a job can apply regardless of where they live.
This means a wider pool of talent for employers to choose from instead of just those willing to live within commuting distance. It also means more potential opportunities for jobseekers that might not be willing or able to relocate. But there is a downside, and that is that it increases competition for available jobs. The labor pool is no longer limited to those with skills and experience in a metro area, so those seeking a job are no longer just up against other locals anymore. This means those on the job market might have a more difficult job finding ways to set themselves apart. I think it means more opportunities, potentially, but greater challenges getting hired and a need to find ways to make themselves more marketable than they may have needed to be when labor pools were shallower.
How do you envision technology impacting Mainframe Systems Administrators in the next 5 years?
Wayne Fletcher: Business is ubiquitous and touches every sector of our economy. As such, technological developments will impact all business graduates as they pursue their respective careers. The guidance I would give students is two-fold. First, never stop learning. Read a variety of publications from different perspectives and on different subjects. By becoming an intelligent consumer of information, young professionals can intentionally seek to develop themselves in order to maintain currency within their areas of interest. Second, expect change.
Life, business, and professions are not linear. We cannot plan for tomorrow simply by observing what occurred yesterday. Those professionals that hunker into one area of their profession, anticipating that they can cruise through until retirement, are the least prepared to engage new norms - which are often driven by new technology. Most businesses and professions are not on the cutting edge of change and technology, which may lead to employee complacency. Those that thrive as things change are the professionals that anticipate and embrace directed and intelligent change. Those that resist change become obsolete.
Bill Kostner
Adjunct InstructorDoane University
College of Business
How do you envision technology impacting Mainframe Systems Administrators in the next 5 years?
Bill Kostner: I believe we will become more involved with technology in all aspects of the HR process, from zoom messaging to self serve applications and benefits to remote disciplinary action to online training and development. Through technology, HR will become even more productive.
How do you envision technology impacting Mainframe Systems Administrators in the next 5 years?
David Marlett Ph.D.: The impact of technology is going to be massive in insurance like all other professions. Risk identification is going to be more accurate because of the new sources of data and better analytics. Claims will be handled faster using AI, remote working, and drones. Jobs are going to change; skill sets will need to be updated. It will be easier for the current students and recent graduates, in my opinion. We are racing to keep our curriculum current and doing our best to prepare students. They are also just more naturally comfortable with technology and not as upset about moving away from the traditional system.