How to hire a systems programmer

How to hire a systems programmer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step systems programmer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a systems programmer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new systems programmer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a systems programmer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The systems programmer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect systems programmer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents systems programmer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Systems Programmer	Description	Hourly rate
   Systems Programmer	Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.	$31-66
   Java Developer	A Java developer is responsible for developing Java-based applications, including its strong efficiency and smooth operations for the clients and business' use. Java developers implement application designs, diagnosing ineffective processes, and conducting troubleshooting... Show more	$32-54
   Mainframe Developer	A mainframe developer specializes in designing and developing information technology systems. Their responsibilities include performing system installations and modifications, creating test structures, gathering and analyzing data, conducting risk assessments, providing support for project requirements, and implementing plans such as disaster recovery and interface layout... Show more	$33-56

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Provide Technical Assistance
   • Video Conferencing
   • C++
   • Database
   • Mainframe
   • Technical Support
   • Java
   • System Performance
   • Technical Assistance
   • Disaster Recovery
   • DB2
   • Linux
   • CICS
   • System Software

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Configure TCP/IP, NFS for user networking communication and manage the network security for faster and reliable performance.
   • Advise CICS development on functional changes to take advantage of hardware cache enhancements, improving the performance of future CICS releases.
   • Achieve improved efficiency and cost reduction goals through efforts and expertise provide in multiple LPAR eliminations and data center consolidations.
   • Create and maintain programs by using the following languages: COBOL, SQL, HTML, and JavaScript.
   • Develop and update internal web interfaces for study data collection in PHP, JavaScript, HTML and CSS.
   • Develop AbInitio graphs and convert complex PL/SQL procedures to validate the quality of data in individual tables on the database.

   More systems programmer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your systems programmer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A systems programmer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, systems programmers' average salary in hawaii is 46% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level systems programmers 52% less than senior-level systems programmers.
   • Certifications. A systems programmer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a systems programmer's salary.

   Average systems programmer salary

   $96,017yearly

   $46.16 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level systems programmer salary

   $66,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 29, 2026

   Average systems programmer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$124,792	$60
   2	Oregon	$110,815	$53
   3	Washington	$105,807	$51
   4	Maryland	$101,302	$49
   5	Massachusetts	$99,780	$48
   6	New York	$99,486	$48
   7	District of Columbia	$95,969	$46
   8	North Carolina	$92,089	$44
   9	Minnesota	$90,316	$43
   10	Virginia	$89,529	$43
   11	Texas	$88,549	$43
   12	Colorado	$87,268	$42
   13	Arizona	$87,077	$42
   14	Pennsylvania	$86,856	$42
   15	New Jersey	$85,742	$41
   16	Illinois	$85,167	$41
   17	Ohio	$82,691	$40
   18	Wisconsin	$80,435	$39
   19	Georgia	$72,190	$35
   20	West Virginia	$72,091	$35

   Average systems programmer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$133,740	$64.30	525
   2	Infinera	$121,725	$58.52
   3	Proofpoint	$119,780	$57.59	34
   4	Bio-Rad Laboratories	$119,537	$57.47	3
   5	Autodesk	$118,563	$57.00	11
   6	Macy's	$118,490	$56.97	3
   7	Citrix	$118,388	$56.92
   8	Citi	$117,579	$56.53	27
   9	Baker Hughes	$116,909	$56.21	1
   10	McAfee	$116,892	$56.20	3
   11	Precision Valve & Automation	$116,206	$55.87
   12	Adobe	$116,140	$55.84	109
   13	Travelport	$114,655	$55.12
   14	SAS Institute	$114,577	$55.09	20
   15	Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria	$114,367	$54.98
   16	Exelixis	$112,965	$54.31	2
   17	KLA	$112,552	$54.11	27
   18	General Dynamics Mission Systems	$111,569	$53.64	103
   19	Charles Schwab	$110,646	$53.20	38
   20	M&T Bank	$109,746	$52.76	12

4. Writing a systems programmer job description

   A systems programmer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a systems programmer job description:

   Systems programmer job description example

   Job Description Must be a US Citizen. Must possess secret clearance (preferred) or be capable of obtaining interim clearance (Secret)
   Project Description
   The Director has established a need for analytical and administrative support for the Mission Assurance (MA) Construct, as set forth in the DoD Directive 3020.40 and DoD Instruction 3020.45. DoDD 3020.40 and DoDI 3020.45 establish policy and assign responsibilities to meet the goals of refining, integrating, and synchronizing aspects of DoD security, protection, and risk management programs that directly relate to mission execution as described in the DoD Mission Assurance Strategy and Mission Assurance Construct Implementation Framework. The DoD MA Construct s intent is to protect or ensure the continued function and resilience of capabilities and assets including personnel, equipment, facilities, networks, information and information systems, infrastructure, and supply chains critical to the execution of DoD s Mission Essential Functions (MEF) in any operating environment or condition. The MA Construct includes strategies, plans, policies, and standards. MA activity responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the planning and coordination of Defense Critical Infrastructure (DCI) actions with all activities that own and/or operate elements of the Defense-wide infrastructure (both physical and cyber assets).
   
   Position Description
   The individual selected for this position will support a DoD client with efforts related to meeting their Mission Assurance (MA) and Defense Critical Infrastructure (DCI) objectives. The objectives are to respond to MA program and DCI Activity guidance by developing and implementing a comprehensive, compliant, and relevant risk management program for the client. The program will serve as the basis for overall coordination of MA and DCI activities including but not limited to risk assessment, development of risk decision packages, risk management decisions for DCI, and the maintenance and further improvements of an existing database and web application.
   
   Required Skills Experience with dynamic .NET web application development using c# (2 years) Experience with integrating Google Maps or a similar API into a .NET web application (1 year) Experience with preparing and presenting findings, documents, and briefings (1 year) Must have a Bachelor s degree
   Preferred Skills Experience with database design and management (2 years) Experience working with MS SQL Server Database Management System (1 year Experience with implementing Web Service (WS) or like solutions for publishing and consuming data to/from authoritative sources (1 year) Work experience related to DoD Mission Assurance (MA), Defense Critical Infrastructure (DCI), Defense Critical Infrastructure Program (DCIP), and/or Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) policies and procedures (2 years) DoD operations experience Knowledge of DCI activity requirements and processes (2 years) Skilled in compiling, analyzing, and translating critical infrastructure risk management data into risk management decision options (2 years) Experience with briefing Senior Management and Flag Level Officers and/or equivalent ( 1 year) CISSP, CISM, CISA, CEH and/or a Security+ certification(s) is preferred
   Provide primary job duties:
   Job Duty 1 with 35% of time Complete tasks related to the management and improvement of a database and web application.
   Job Duty 1 with 30% of time Keep track of assets and take the necessary steps/actions to capture additonal assets and to keep asset records current.
   Job Duty 3 with 25% of time Coordinating with direct and indirect client stakeholders in support of client Mission Assurance (MA) and Defense Critical Infrastructure (DCI) related tasks and objectives.
   Job Duty 4 with 10% of time Reporting progress to project management & client.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find systems programmers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any systems programmers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level systems programmers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your systems programmer job on Zippia to find and attract quality systems programmer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting systems programmers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview systems programmer candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new systems programmer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the systems programmer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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