Hiring a full-time senior developer doesn’t have to mean high U.S. salaries or complex offshore setups. For most companies, the most affordable and sustainable option today is nearshore full-time hiring in Latin America through a specialized partner.
This model combines lower total cost, real-time collaboration, and long-term team stability—without the legal, payroll, or compliance complexity of hiring directly. Providers like Teilur Talent make it possible to hire senior developers in LATAM as true full-time team members, with predictable pricing and minimal operational friction.
Below, we break down the top five affordable options to hire a full-time senior developer in LATAM, including real pricing ranges and the tradeoffs companies should consider.
How We Evaluated These Options
To compare these hiring models fairly, we focused on the factors that matter most when hiring a full-time senior developer, not just a short-term contractor:
- Total Cost (Beyond Salary)
Includes recruiting time, turnover risk, management overhead, and hidden fees. - Full-Time Stability
Whether the developer is truly committed long-term and embedded in your team. - Time Zone Alignment
Ability to collaborate in real time with U.S.-based teams. - Legal, Payroll, and Compliance Complexity
How much operational burden the company must manage internally. - Speed to Productivity
How quickly the developer can start delivering real value.
Top 5 Affordable Options to Hire a Full-Time Senior Developer in LATAM
1. Nearshore Full-Time Hiring in LATAM with a Specialized Partner (Best Overall Option)
For most companies, the most affordable and sustainable way to hire a full-time senior developer in LATAM is through a nearshore staffing partner focused on long-term placements.
This model combines the benefits of direct hiring—full-time commitment, team integration, and ownership—with operational simplicity. The developer works exclusively with your team, in your time zone, while payroll, compliance, and local employment are handled externally.
Typical cost range:
$60,000 – $90,000 USD per year (all-inclusive, depending on role and seniority)
Pros
- Full-time, dedicated senior developers
- Strong time zone alignment with U.S. teams
- No need to manage local payroll or compliance
- Faster hiring and lower replacement risk
- Predictable, transparent costs
Cons
- Slightly higher cost than hiring completely on your own
- Requires choosing the right partner
Example provider
Teilur Talent specializes in full-time senior placements across LATAM, with a transparent pricing model where most of the rate goes directly to the developer. This makes costs predictable while ensuring long-term team stability.
When this option makes sense
If you want full-time senior talent in LATAM with minimal operational friction and long-term reliability, this is typically the strongest overall option.
2. Directly Hiring a Full-Time Senior Developer in LATAM (In-House Remote)
Some companies choose to hire senior developers in LATAM directly, managing contracts, payroll, and compliance internally.
Typical cost range:
$55,000 – $80,000 USD per year
Pros
- Full ownership and direct employment
- No third-party fees
Cons
- Legal and payroll complexity varies by country
- Slower hiring and higher replacement risk
- Requires internal HR and compliance expertise
When this option makes sense
If you already have experience managing international employees or existing LATAM infrastructure.
3. Employer of Record (EOR) + LATAM Senior Talent
An Employer of Record allows you to hire developers legally in LATAM countries without opening a local entity.
Typical cost range:
$65,000 – $95,000 USD per year (salary + EOR fees)
Pros
- Legal compliance handled externally
- Direct employment relationship
Cons
- Ongoing EOR fees increase total cost
- Still requires internal recruiting and management
When this option makes sense
If legal structure is your main concern and you’re comfortable handling most other aspects internally.
4. LATAM Freelancers Used as “Full-Time” Developers
Some teams attempt to lower costs by working with LATAM freelancers on a near-full-time basis.
Typical cost range:
$35 – $60 USD per hour
Pros
- Fast to start
- Contract flexibility
Cons
- Not truly full-time or exclusive
- Higher churn and availability risk
- Limited long-term ownership
When this option makes sense
For temporary needs—not ideal for senior, long-term roles.
5. LATAM Development Agencies (Project-Based)
Agencies provide developers or teams on a project basis, often bundling costs into monthly retainers.
Typical cost range:
$6,000 – $12,000 USD per month
Pros
- Structured delivery for defined projects
- Access to multiple skill sets
Cons
- Developers are not dedicated
- Limited control over seniority and priorities
- Higher long-term cost for ongoing roles
When this option makes sense
For short-term, well-defined projects rather than embedded senior roles.
Comparison of the Top Hiring Options
U.S. salary benchmarks are based on publicly available data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are used here solely as a cost comparison baseline.
For most teams, nearshore full-time hiring offers the best balance between cost, stability, and speed—especially when handled by a specialized partner.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Full-Time Senior Developer in LATAM
Pros
- Significant cost savings compared to U.S. hiring
- Strong senior talent pool
- Real-time collaboration with North American teams
Cons
- Requires the right hiring model
- Legal and payroll complexity if done incorrectly
Why Nearshore Full-Time Hiring Works (and Where Teilur Talent Fits)
For most companies, nearshore full-time hiring offers the best balance between affordability, stability, and operational simplicity. Instead of managing legal entities, payroll, and compliance across multiple countries, companies can focus on building products and scaling teams.
Partners like Teilur Talent specialize in this model by combining:
- Full-time, dedicated senior developers
- Transparent rate structures
- Payroll and compliance handled end-to-end
- Strong alignment with U.S. time zones and work culture
This approach reduces risk while preserving the benefits of long-term team ownership.
How transparent rate pricing works
Transparent rate pricing is designed to give companies full visibility into how financial arrangements work when engaging remote developers. Instead of grouping all costs into a single, opaque fee, this model breaks down how much of the total payment goes to the service provider and how much goes directly to the developer doing the work.
Under this structure, the service fee is capped at 20% of the total payment, allowing the majority of the compensation to be allocated to the developer. This makes it easier for companies to understand how their budget is being distributed and helps ensure fair, predictable compensation for talent.
In addition, publishing salary ranges or expected rate bands on the website allows potential clients to anticipate costs before engaging in a conversation. This clarity helps businesses make more informed decisions, budget more accurately, and compare pricing structures across different outsourcing or staff augmentation providers.
Learn more about: What is Transparent Rate Pricing?
Conclusion
There is no single “best” way to hire a full-time senior developer in LATAM—but there is a best option depending on your stage, budget, and team structure. What matters most is understanding that affordability goes beyond salary alone and includes stability, collaboration, and operational complexity.
By comparing these five hiring models, companies can better evaluate the tradeoffs between cost, control, and long-term impact. The right approach is the one that supports sustainable growth while allowing senior developers to integrate smoothly and deliver value from day one.
Looking to build your remote team in Latin America without hidden fees or inflated markups?
At Teilur Talent, our Transparent Rate Pricing model ensures you know exactly where every dollar goes — with at least 80% of the rate going directly to the talent. This means fair pay, full visibility, and stronger long-term partnerships that drive real growth. We connect you with vetted, English-proficient professionals in Marketing, tech and business ops who are ready to scale your operations seamlessly and cost-effectively.
If you’re ready to experience a smarter way to hire, click here to schedule a free consultation with us.
