A shortlist in about 3 days
One call to understand your stack, your culture and your hiring bar. Pre-vetted candidates follow, usually within 3 days.
Nearshore software developers from Latin America
Hire vetted LATAM software developers
Latin America is meeting the moment. Investments made over the past 25 years by Google, Meta, Oracle, Microsoft, and others have built an exciting engineering talent base. We can help you access it.
Senior engineers across 7 technical roles within 7 Latin American countries.
All working U.S. hours.
Receive a shortlist of 3 candidates in about 3 days.
Onboard a senior developer on your team in as little as 14 days.
- Save 40% to 70% compared with US hiring
- Aligned to US time zones, with real overlap
- Payroll, compliance and hardware handled for you
- No upfront fees, two-week notice
Senior developer cost per month: US vs Latin America
| Role (Senior level) | US loaded monthly cost | LATAM loaded monthly cost | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| React Engineer | $22,000 | $7,000 | $15,000 |
| DevOps | $19,000 | $7,500 | $11,500 |
| QA | $14,000 | $5,000 | $9,000 |
| AI / Data Engineer | $24,000 | $8,500 | $15,500 |
Difference is the US cost minus the Latin America cost. See all roles and how we calculate it.
Engineering teams that hired through Plugg
- SingleOps
- Chartmetric
- Cloud Cath
- Blinkfreight
- Action Face
Cost comparison
What a developer costs in the US and in Latin America
Senior-level monthly cost in the US and in Latin America, and the difference between them.
| Role (Senior) | US monthly median cost | Latin America monthly median cost | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| React developers | $22,000 | $7,000 | $15,000 |
| Java developers | $12,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 |
| Python developers | $15,200 | $6,200 | $9,000 |
| Backend developers | $15,200 | $6,200 | $9,000 |
| Node.js developers | $22,000 | $7,000 | $15,000 |
| Full-stack developers | $22,000 | $7,000 | $15,000 |
| .NET developers | $12,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 |
| DevOps engineers | $19,000 | $7,500 | $11,500 |
| Data engineers | $24,000 | $8,500 | $15,500 |
| QA engineers | $14,000 | $5,000 | $9,000 |
| AI and ML engineers | $24,000 | $8,500 | $15,500 |
How we calculated these numbers
What the figures are. Monthly cost for a senior-level hire, in US dollars. The US column is what the employer pays each month for a US hire, and the Latin America column is what a comparable hire in Latin America costs each month. The figures come from Plugg Technologies.
Difference. We subtract the Latin America figure from the US figure. Multiply it by 12 for a rough yearly saving.
These figures are illustrative, based on typical senior-level ranges, and are not a quote. Your actual number depends on the role, seniority, stack and country. Request developer rates for a real number.
Hire developers
The engineers you can hire
From a single senior hire to a full team. Each role has its own page with costs, skills, screening and FAQs.
React
React developers
Front-end and product engineers for React and Next.js apps.
PyPython developers
Engineers for APIs, automation, data pipelines and ML-adjacent products.
BackendBackend developers
Engineers for APIs, databases and the services behind your product.
NodeNode.js developers
JavaScript and TypeScript engineers for APIs and real-time services.
DevOpsDevOps engineers
Pipelines, infrastructure as code and reliability.
DataData engineers
Pipelines, warehouses and the data layer your analytics depend on.
QAQA engineers
Automation, performance and security testing for your releases.
All other roles →Countries
Where your developers work
Every country has a different mix of rates, English level and time-zone overlap.
Mexico
Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey
6 to 7 hours of workday overlap with US Eastern and 7 to 8 with US PacificColombia
Bogota, Medellin
7 to 8 hours of workday overlap with US Eastern and 6 to 7 with US PacificPeru
Lima, Arequipa
7 to 8 hours of workday overlap with US Eastern and 6 to 7 with US PacificArgentina
Buenos Aires, Cordoba
7 to 8 hours of workday overlap with US Eastern and 4 to 5 with US PacificBrazil
Sao Paulo, Florianopolis
7 to 8 hours of workday overlap with US Eastern and 4 to 5 with US PacificUruguay
Montevideo
7 to 8 hours of workday overlap with US Eastern and 4 to 5 with US PacificNicaragua
Managua, Leon, Granada
6 to 7 hours of workday overlap with US Eastern and 7 to 8 with US PacificAll other countries →Why Plugg
Senior LATAM engineers, without the hiring overhead
Plugg has been placing engineers in Latin America for 11 years, with more than 500+ placements. You run the work. They find, vet, pay and support the people doing it.
Your time zone, your stand-ups
Engineers aligned to US time zones, so code reviews, pairing and quick questions happen live instead of overnight.
40% to 70% below local hiring
Plugg reports clients save 40% to 70% compared with hiring locally, with senior people who join your team and your tools.
The employment side is covered
Payroll with tax compliance, local legal requirements, hardware, onboarding and bilingual support through the first year.
500+placements across Latin America
91%developer retention in 2026
3 daysaverage time to a vetted shortlist
93%offer-to-acceptance rate
Figures from Plugg Technologies, the recruiting partner behind this site.
Recent hires
What this looks like in practice
Real placements from Plugg's success stories.
Mexico / Health tech
Hired 16 Salesforce developers across 4 pods
Read the story →Argentina / Series ABuilt a full-stack dev team for a Series A startup
Read the story →Bolivia / SaaSHired a senior React engineer for a hyper-growth SF startup
Read the story →DevOps / Med-techSourced and hired a DevOps engineer for a Series A med-tech startup
Read the story →Testimonials
Let's hear from the teams who hired
Founders and engineering leaders on working with Plugg.
Plugg has helped us fill multiple technical contractor roles, including a software lead from the medical device industry and a Senior DevOps engineer. In the case of the DevOps role, they introduced us to Juan within 4 days of the need and we’ve been working with him for over 6 months now. He’s as good as any SF based engineer at a fraction of the cost. Plugg also helps us manage his hours and the payroll logistics.
I have a technical background and can be quite picky, and this was my first time trying the nearshoring model. Plugg listened carefully to my requirements and after showing me a shortlist, I hired Matias from Argentina. He’s a senior level full-stack developer. 5 months later and we’re all really happy with him! He delivers ahead of schedule, communicates clearly and boosts our team morale with his positive and proactive energy. We’ve since hired additional developers from Plugg. I’m impressed!
Plugg helped us hire 2 senior full-stack engineers. Since we’re early-stage, there’s no margin for error. They delivered some of the best React/NodeJS developers we’ve seen and also helped with the technical vetting. We liked their model, because the engineers feel like they are part of our team, unlike a regular dev shop.
At SingleOps, we wanted to grow the team so that we could have more work streams with empowered teams solving problems. Hiring nearshore folks from Mexico and Brazil has allowed us to grow strategically with flexibility. We’ve found some strong Rails engineers like Bastien, Ciro and Lucas and QA folks like Carlos who are engaged in our company our culture, asking questions and giving their opinions. That’s when good work is done.
Plugg makes near-shoring as easy as hiring locally. Recently we had a need for a Zbrush designer. Within a week we had identified a highly skilled, mid-career candidate in Mexico who we ended up hiring at less than half of what we would have paid in California. After 7 months on our team, our Zbrush artist continues to do great work.
We have partnered with Plugg to provide nearshore talent to support our client projects and the Plugg team has found great technical resources from Latin America. Highly recommend!
Client testimonials collected by Plugg Technologies. Read more on plugg.tech.
How it works
From first call to first day in about two weeks
You decide who joins your team. Plugg does the legwork on both sides of that decision.
Tell us what you need
One short call to understand your stack, your culture, your hiring bar and your timeline.
Get a vetted shortlist
Plugg sources and screens candidates, then sends you 3 to 5 profiles, typically within 3 days.
Interview and choose
You meet the candidates yourself and make the final call, just like any other hire.
We handle the rest
Onboarding, hardware, payroll, compliance and bilingual support through the first year. Day one is about 14 days from kickoff.
Tell us the role. We'll send 3 to 5 candidates.
One call, then vetted candidates in about 3 days.
Questions teams ask before they hire
What does it mean to hire a LATAM developer?
You hire a software engineer who lives and works in Latin America, in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Bolivia and El Salvador, and who works with your team during US hours. Plugg finds and vets the candidates and handles the employment side. You direct the daily work.
What is the difference between nearshore and offshore?
Nearshore developers work in time zones close to yours, so your team can collaborate live. Offshore teams are usually nine to thirteen hours away from the US east coast, which turns conversations into handoffs and overnight replies. Nearshore teams also tend to share working norms with US companies, which makes the day-to-day easier. Read the full comparison.
How fast can I get a developer?
Plugg's average time to a vetted shortlist is about 3 days. From kickoff to a developer's first day averages around 14 days. Clients have described going from first call to a hire in about two weeks.
How much does it cost?
Plugg reports savings of 40% to 70% compared with hiring locally. Rates depend on the role, the seniority and the stack, so the clearest answer comes from a short call about what you need. There are no upfront fees. Here is how to compare the real costs.
Will the developers work my hours?
Yes. Plugg places engineers who are aligned to US time zones. Tell Plugg your core hours on the first call and the shortlist is built around them.
Do I need to sponsor a visa or deal with local labor rules?
No visa or sponsorship is needed because the developer works from their home country. Plugg handles payroll, tax compliance and legal compliance across LATAM countries, so you don't have to work through each country's rules yourself.
Who manages the developer day to day?
You do. Plugg uses a staff augmentation model, so you keep control of the work and the deliverables, and the developer joins your team and your tools. Plugg stays involved with onboarding, payroll logistics and support through the first year.
How are developers vetted?
Plugg screens candidates against your hiring bar and for advanced-level English communication, and clients like Blinkfreight have also used Plugg's help with technical vetting. You then interview the shortlist yourself and make the final decision.
What if I need more than one developer?
Plugg builds pods and teams as well as single hires. Examples include 16 Salesforce developers across 4 pods in Mexico and a full-stack team in Argentina for a Series A startup. See the success stories.
Is there a long-term contract?
Engagements are flexible, with no minimum contract term beyond a two-week notice period. Ask about the specifics for your role on the first call.
Which countries do the developers come from?
Plugg places engineers in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Bolivia and El Salvador. Plugg's country guides cover several of them in detail.
How does hiring in Latin America compare with hiring in India?
The biggest difference is overlap with your working day. Latin America is within a couple of hours of US time zones, while India is about ten hours from the US east coast, which makes live collaboration hard. Plugg has published a detailed LATAM versus India comparison.
Resources
Guides for hiring in Latin America
How to hire a LATAM developer in two weeks
A senior engineer search can stretch for months. With a clear role and the right partner, the nearshore route is measured in days.
Read the guide →LATAM vs US developer cost: what to compare before you decide
A salary comparison is the easy part of this question, and it leaves out the costs that change the answer.
Read the guide →Nearshore vs offshore developers: what changes in your workday
The gap between the two shows up in small moments, like whether your developer is online when you have a question at 10am.
Read the guide →Get candidates
Ready to meet your next developer?
Book a short call with the Plugg team. Share the role, the stack and your timeline, and get a shortlist built around them.
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