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Living outside LATAM doesn't mean you can not benefit from Latin American talent. The software industry of this region consists of experts who are fully aware of technological advancements. There are now more than 8,000 programming languages, and you can find skilled Latin developers for any of these languages. This is the primary reason why experts compare Latin America to Silicon Valley! If your company or startup is based in Central or North America, we would highly recommend you to consider LATAM for your software development requirements. Confused as to how you can do this? We've got the solutions for you in this full guide!
Top FAQs About Hiring Developers in LATAM
1. Why Should You Even Consider Hiring Developers from Latin America?
Let’s be honest, if you’re running a tech company outside of Latin America, the idea of choosing to hire developers in Latin America might feel a little out of reach. But here’s the thing: you’re probably missing out on some of the best global talent out there. Latin America is booming with skilled software developers who are not only tech-savvy but also super aligned with the working hours of North American businesses. That’s a rare combo! And yes, you’ll save on costs, but what really matters is that these developers get it. They’re up-to-date, reliable, and fully ready to plug into your team like they’ve been there all along.
2. Can Latin American Developers Speak English Well Enough to Work With Our Team?
Absolutely. In fact, you'd be surprised by how fluent many Latin American developers are. Countries like Argentina, Chile, and Colombia have heavily invested in English education, especially in the tech industry. Most developers working with international clients use English every day, so it’s second nature. Of course, as with any region, levels vary, but if you’re working with a professional partner or recruitment agency, you’ll find plenty of candidates who can jump into meetings, understand briefs, and write clean code, all without skipping a beat.
3. Will the Time Zone Difference Be a Problem?
Not at all! That’s actually one of the biggest perks. Developers in countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Peru are in time zones that closely match the U.S. and Canada. We’re talking about just one or two hours apart in most cases. That means you won’t be waiting 12 hours for a reply or struggling to schedule meetings. Instead, you’ll be working side-by-side in real time. It’s one of the reasons so many startups are ditching far-off time zones for LATAM instead.
4. How Much Do Developers in LATAM Typically Earn Compared to the U.S.?
Here’s where things get really interesting. A mid- to senior-level developer in Latin America usually earns between $2,500 and $5,000 per month. Compare that to the U.S., where similar roles can cost upwards of $10,000 or more monthly. And this isn’t about paying less for less. These are top-tier engineers who just happen to live in regions with a lower cost of living. So you get more value for your budget and more flexibility to grow your team.
5. Which LATAM Countries Have the Best Tech Talent?
It depends on what you’re looking for, but here are a few standouts:
Argentina: Known for excellent English, strong education, and creative problem-solving.
Brazil: The biggest tech hub in LATAM with a massive pool of devs.
Mexico: Great for U.S. companies because of close proximity and cultural compatibility.
Colombia & Chile: Growing fast, with a young, highly skilled workforce.
Further below in this blog post, you can explore more details in our section on which cities are primary nearshoring spots this year!
6. Are There Any Legal or Hiring Hurdles to Watch Out For?
Hiring across borders does mean a bit of red tape but it’s manageable. Every country has its own labor laws, tax rules, and paperwork requirements. If you go it alone, you'll want a local lawyer or compliance advisor to help.
But here's a better idea: work with a nearshore partner or a platform that handles all the legal stuff for you. That way, you stay compliant and save yourself a ton of stress and late-night Google searches.
7. How Do I Know If I’m Hiring Quality Talent?
Great question because not all resumes are created equal. Start with a solid vetting process: technical interviews, coding tests, and live problem-solving. Don’t skip culture fit either; ask about how they collaborate, handle feedback, and deal with deadlines. Or, if that sounds like a lot, work with a recruiter or agency that already does the heavy lifting. Many LATAM hiring partners pre-vet developers (including us at Blue Coding!)so you only see top performers. Less time wasted, better results.
8. Are There Any Common Challenges When Hiring in Latin America?
Sure, no hiring market is perfect. You might run into cultural differences, internet reliability issues in rural areas, or unexpected holidays. But these are pretty minor if you prepare right.
Simple fixes like a good onboarding process, using efficient tools, and being clear about expectations can smooth out most bumps. And honestly? Once your LATAM devs are up and running, they’ll feel like any other part of your team.
9. Are Latin American Developers Experienced in the Tech Stack I Use?
Most likely, yes. LATAM developers are well-versed in everything from JavaScript frameworks to backend languages like Python, Ruby, Java, and even niche tools like Go or Rust.
A lot of them have experience working with U.S. and European clients, too, so they’re familiar with global standards, agile workflows, and common project tools. Just tell your recruiter what you need and chances are that someone in LATAM already has that skillset.
10. What’s the Actual Process For When You Want To Hire LATAM Developers?
It’s a lot simpler than it used to be. You can either post a job on LATAM-focused platforms, use LinkedIn, or go through a nearshore staffing partner. Once you identify candidates, go through interviews, give them a technical challenge, and check how well they communicate.
Or if you want to move fast, partner with an agency that can deliver a shortlist of pre-vetted developers. You’ll usually have someone onboarded within a couple of weeks and ready to code the next day.
The Current LATAM Top Cities That Are Primary Hubs For Software Development
Although pretty much the whole of LATAM houses top-notch software developers, there are several cities that have made it to the top of the list of prime nearshoring destinations this year:
Bogotá, Colombia:
This city is a burgeoning tech capital, housing over 800 startups. The software development industry here is projected to hit $35 billion by 2027. With top universities estimating the number of software development graduates to grow by thousands by the end of this year, Bogotá is making huge news in the fintech, health tech, and edtech sectors.
Santiago, Chile:
Often dubbed the "tech mecca" of Latin America, Santiago boasts impressive 5G coverage and a surge in cloud investments. The city's digital economy is projected to reach $45 billion by the end of 2025, with a strong focus on cybersecurity, AI, and IoT.
Buenos Aires, Argentina:
Argentina is known for its cultural and historical richness! However, aside from this, Buenos Aires is also a tech powerhouse, with Argentina's IT market valued at $11 billion. The city is home to over 1,000 startups, particularly in the eCommerce, fintech, and agritech industries.
Guadalajara, Mexico:
Nicknamed the “Silicon Valley of Mexico,” Guadalajara is a fantastic tech ecosystem backed by both government initiatives and international investment. The city has seen a sharp rise in software outsourcing and is home to major tech companies like Oracle and IBM. With a talent pool that grows annually from its top engineering schools, Guadalajara is a fine choice for AI, software development, and robotics projects.
Montevideo, Uruguay:
Uruguay might be small in size, but its capital, Montevideo, is making big accomplishments in software exports. The country boasts a 98% literacy rate and high English proficiency, making collaboration easy for global teams. Montevideo’s software exports make up over 70% of the country’s total service exports, with an emphasis on fintech, cloud solutions, and enterprise software.
Hire Developers in Latin America With Blue Coding
Blue Coding is a nearshore outsourcing agency that has been the primary choice for many American companies. Opting to hire developers in LATAM with our help is a breeze, as we handle all the chaotic phases of software development while you can focus on other business goals. Our clients stay up-to-date with the progress of the project milestones, and we prioritize their satisfaction as well. If you're interested in pursuing this further with us, book your free strategy call with us now!
