Table of contents
- Benefits of hiring through an IT staffing agency
- Choosing the right IT staffing partner
- 11 best IT staffing agencies in 2026
- Types of IT staffing services
- Average costs of IT staffing
- Why Austin-based companies are turning to LatAm talent
- Howdy’s approach
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
Austin’s tech scene moves fast. For startups and scaling companies alike, hiring the right IT talent quickly can feel overwhelming, especially when growth timelines are tight and competition is fierce.
Whether you’re building your first engineering team or expanding an existing one, the right IT staffing agency can help you scale without slowing momentum. Below, we break down the benefits of IT staffing, how to choose the right partner, and the 11 best IT staffing agencies for Austin-based tech teams in 2026.
Benefits of hiring through an IT staffing agency
Vetting technical talent is time-consuming and high-stakes. Beyond technical skills, companies need professionals who communicate well, collaborate effectively, and stay long-term.
An experienced IT staffing agency brings a proven vetting process, market insight, and speed. Instead of diverting internal resources to sourcing and screening, teams can rely on specialists who understand how to evaluate both technical ability and cultural fit.
For companies struggling with retention, rapid scaling, or unclear role requirements, staffing agencies also act as strategic partners, helping define what kind of talent is actually needed before hiring begins.
Choosing the right IT staffing partner
Selecting a staffing partner is as critical as selecting a new hire. Before committing, evaluate agencies using the same rigor you would apply to internal recruiting.
IT staffing agency vetting checklist
- Vetting process: How thorough is candidate screening? What technical and soft-skill evaluations are included?
- Assessment methods: Are candidates tested against real-world scenarios and role-specific requirements?
- Retention rate: Do placements stay long-term or contribute to churn?
- Pricing and markup model: How does the agency charge, and what services are included?
- Contract terms: Is there flexibility, or are you locked into long-term commitments?
- Time-to-hire: How quickly can qualified candidates be presented?
- Replacement guarantees: What happens if a placement doesn’t work out?
- Regions served: Does the agency recruit domestically, nearshore, or offshore? Consider time zone alignment and collaboration needs.
11 best IT staffing agencies in 2026
1. Howdy.com
Key strengths
- 98% retention rate
- Rigorous technical and cultural vetting
- Full-service employment model
- Physical offices and coworking spaces across Latin America (LatAm)
Services offered
Recruiting, HR, payroll, legal compliance, equipment, office space, onsite support, and long-term team mentorship.
Who it’s best for
Startups and growing companies seeking long-term, fully integrated nearshore IT teams with minimal operational overhead.
Pros and cons
- Pros: End-to-end staffing with exceptional retention and support.
- Cons: Focuses on long-term hires rather than short-term project staffing.
Pricing overview
No upfront recruiting or sourcing fees. Flat-rate pricing begins when a hire starts, with no minimums, no cancellation fees, and week-to-week payment flexibility.
Howdy’s nearshore model is informed by verified payroll data from 12,500+ developers across eight Latin American countries, ensuring compensation benchmarks reflect real, compliant employment costs.
2. LatAmCent
Key strengths
Access to LatAm engineering talent across nearly every country in the region, strong US time zone overlap, and rapid placement.
Services offered
Full-time and contingency hires, including contract and W-2 placements.
Who it’s best for
US companies prioritizing speed, cost efficiency, and nearshore collaboration.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Cost savings, fast placement, broad LatAm reach.
- Cons: Requires experience managing remote teams; some reviews cite coordination challenges.
Pricing overview
Flexible pricing models, including employer-of-record or direct payment options.
3. BairesDev
Key strengths
Large LatAm talent pool, AI-powered sourcing, strong English proficiency, and rapid scaling capabilities.
Services offered
Staff augmentation, managed teams, and technology consulting.
Who it’s best for
Mid-market and enterprise companies scaling engineering teams quickly.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Strong service reputation and delivery capabilities.
- Cons: Enterprise focus may not suit smaller teams; some users report aggressive sales tactics.
Pricing overview
Custom pricing based on role complexity, seniority, and engagement model.
4. Gorilla Logic
Key strengths
Project-based, deliverable-driven engagement model.
Services offered
Product engineering, DevOps, and digital product development using nearshore teams.
Who it’s best for
Companies needing defined project delivery rather than long-term staffing.
Pros and cons
- Pros: High flexibility for project work.
- Cons: Does not offer traditional staffing placements.
Pricing overview
Custom quotes required.
5. Softtek
Key strengths
Enterprise-grade nearshore delivery with strong time zone alignment.
Services offered
Application development, cloud, data and AI, automation, and managed IT services.
Who it’s best for
Large enterprises seeking long-term technology partners.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Broad service portfolio and enterprise credibility.
- Cons: Less transparent pricing and limited staffing focus.
Pricing overview
Custom engagement-based pricing.
6. Toptal
Key strengths
Top 3% global talent network with fast matching and risk-free trial periods.
Services offered
Staffing across software development, design, finance, product, and project management.
Who it’s best for
Companies needing elite freelance or contract talent quickly.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Exceptional talent quality and speed.
- Cons: Higher costs and a smaller talent pool than open marketplaces.
Pricing overview
Custom pricing based on role and engagement length.
7. ClickIT
Key strengths
Specialization in DevOps, cloud, and senior engineering roles with fast hiring timelines.
Services offered
IT staff augmentation, DevOps consulting, and software development.
Who it’s best for
US companies prioritizing speed and nearshore expertise.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Fast placement and strong technical specialization.
- Cons: Limited suitability for small, short-term engagements.
Pricing overview
Customized by role and technical stack.
8. Mojo Trek
Key strengths
Nearshore and offshore staffing with flexible engagement models.
Services offered
Staff augmentation, dedicated teams, and direct-hire placement.
Who it’s best for
US companies with experience managing distributed teams.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Broad talent options and pricing flexibility.
- Cons: Offshore roles may lack time zone alignment.
Pricing overview
Custom pricing with typical savings of 30–50% compared to US hires.
9. Insight Global
Key strengths
Large global footprint with broad industry coverage and full-lifecycle hiring support.
Services offered
Contract, contract-to-hire, permanent placement, and professional services.
Who it’s best for
Organizations needing scalable hiring across multiple regions and roles.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Extensive reach and service breadth.
- Cons: Pricing transparency varies; recruiter experience can differ.
Pricing overview
Custom pricing based on role and engagement type.
10. Arvenda
Key strengths
Senior LatAm engineering talent, high retention, and fast placement.
Services offered
Staff augmentation, direct hire, and fractional teams.
Who it’s best for
US companies scaling engineering teams cost-effectively.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Strong retention, senior talent, nearshore alignment.
- Cons: Limited non-engineering roles.
Pricing overview
Transparent monthly pricing with 30–50% cost savings.
11. Near
Key strengths
Deep LatAm talent pool with strong cultural and time zone alignment.
Services offered
Direct placement of full-time remote engineers under a contractor model.
Who it’s best for
Companies struggling to hire US-based engineers.
Pros and cons
- Pros: High-quality talent and fast placement.
- Cons: Requires mature remote management practices.
Pricing overview
Flexible pricing based on experience level.
Types of IT staffing services
- Contract or temporary staffing: Short-term roles for projects or peak workloads.
- Contract-to-hire: Trial-based placements that convert to permanent roles.
- Direct hire: Permanent placement through an agency.
- Nearshore IT staffing: Hiring talent in nearby countries with similar time zones.
- Managed teams and project-based staffing: Fully managed delivery teams focused on outcomes.
Average costs of IT staffing
Senior US-based software engineers often earn over $100,000 annually, not including benefits, taxes, and overhead. Staffing agencies and nearshore models can significantly reduce total cost while maintaining quality.
Howdy payroll data across 12,500+ LatAm developers shows average annual salaries between $53K–$63K USD, compared to ~$160K fully loaded for a US-based engineer.
Why Austin-based companies are turning to LatAm talent
Nearshoring allows companies to access top-tier talent at lower cost while maintaining real-time collaboration. Latin America’s alignment with US time zones and work culture makes it an increasingly popular option for Austin-based tech teams.
According to Howdy’s verified 2025 payroll data, US companies save 60–65% on total employment costs when hiring senior LatAm developers, without sacrificing time zone alignment or English fluency.
Howdy’s approach
Howdy pairs US companies with highly vetted nearshore IT professionals in Latin America. By managing recruiting, payroll, compliance, benefits, and equipment, Howdy removes the complexity of international hiring.
The focus is on long-term retention and team integration, supported by local offices and on-the-ground teams throughout LatAm.
Want to learn more? Look at our case studies.
Frequently asked questions
How does IT staffing work?
IT staffing agencies source, vet, and place technical professionals based on a client’s requirements. Agencies often manage payroll, compliance, and benefits, allowing companies to focus on execution.
Is nearshore better than offshore?
For many companies, nearshore staffing offers better collaboration due to time zone alignment, cultural familiarity, and faster communication compared to offshore models.
How much does it cost to hire a software engineer in Latin America in 2025?
Based on Howdy’s verified payroll data, average LatAm software developer salaries range from $53,000 to $63,000 USD per year, depending on country and seniority. Total employer costs are typically 60–65% lower than equivalent US-based hires.
Conclusion
Hiring IT talent doesn’t have to slow your growth. The right staffing partner can help Austin-based companies scale efficiently, reduce risk, and build high-performing teams in a competitive market.
Ready to build your next IT team? Book a demo.