This guide highlights the leading LatAm countries for software engineering talent in 2025, based on Howdy hiring data and market analysis. Each destination offers a unique mix of skill, affordability, and reliability for building high-performing remote teams.
Brazil: large-scale engineering depth
Brazil continues to dominate LatAm’s technology landscape. It has the largest engineering workforce in the region, a mature tech startup scene, and a high concentration of English-speaking professionals.
Howdy hiring data shows that engineers in Brazil typically earn an average annual salary of about $53,000, with a total yearly cost of around $61,000 including benefits. That balance between affordability and expertise makes Brazil an excellent option for scaling full-stack, AI, and DevOps teams quickly.
Mexico: cultural alignment and proximity
Mexico remains a top choice for US-based engineering teams because of its close proximity and near-perfect time zone alignment. Its major tech hubs—such as Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City—produce thousands of software graduates every year.
Howdy hiring data indicates that engineers in Mexico earn an average annual salary near $52,000, with total costs typically below US benchmarks. Mexico also offers strong English proficiency and a growing ecosystem of product and design professionals, making it a versatile market for cross-functional teams.
Colombia: high retention and strong collaboration
Colombia’s software sector has grown rapidly over the past five years. It is now known for producing adaptable engineers with strong communication skills and consistent retention rates.
Howdy hiring data shows that Colombian engineers earn an average annual salary of roughly $50,000, making it one of the most cost-effective countries for hiring senior talent. Combined with steady infrastructure and cultural similarity to US work styles, Colombia has become one of the most reliable nearshore destinations for growing teams.
Argentina: advanced technical education
Argentina has long been recognized for its academic strength and technical training programs. Many of its engineers are fluent in English and have extensive experience working with global companies.
Howdy hiring data places the average salary for software engineers around $54,000 per year, offering a balance of high technical ability and affordability. Argentina’s emphasis on critical thinking and design also makes it ideal for data science and software architecture roles.
Chile and Peru: stability and emerging talent
Chile offers strong economic stability and a government that actively supports technology education. Meanwhile, Peru’s growing developer base represents an emerging opportunity for companies looking to build cost-efficient teams with room to scale.
Engineers in these markets earn average salaries between $48,000 and $52,000 annually, according to Howdy hiring data, positioning them as solid complements to larger hiring hubs in Brazil and Mexico.
Why LatAm continues to outperform other regions
Several factors make LatAm the best region for nearshore engineering in 2025:
- Shared time zones with US teams enable real-time collaboration.
- English proficiency continues to improve across major tech hubs.
- Engineers bring both technical skill and cultural compatibility.
- Cost savings remain significant compared with US or European hiring.
Howdy hiring data confirms that companies hiring in LatAm consistently achieve faster onboarding, stronger retention, and higher satisfaction compared with offshore markets.
The Howdy advantage
Every engineer in the Howdy network completes a five-step vetting process designed to verify technical skill, communication ability, and cultural fit. Howdy also handles local compliance, payroll, and benefits through its Employer of Record structure, ensuring a seamless hiring experience for US companies.
By combining local expertise with global standards, Howdy enables teams to hire, onboard, and manage engineers across LatAm confidently and compliantly.
Conclusion
In 2025, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Peru stand out as the most strategic destinations for building software engineering teams. Each country offers competitive salaries, reliable infrastructure, and talent ready to integrate with US companies.
Howdy.com connects you with vetted engineers across these markets, handling everything from compliance to payroll. To learn more about building your nearshore team, book a demo today.