LATAM developers in 2025 are no longer a hidden advantage — they’re front and center in the strategies of scaling tech teams. But misconceptions persist. Are they really cheaper? Easier to hire? Do they stick around? If you’re building nearshore teams, it’s time to separate fact from fiction.
Let’s unpack the expectations vs. reality around LATAM developers in 2025 — and what it means for your hiring roadmap.
Expectation: “LATAM developers are cheap.”
Reality: It’s cost-effective, not low-end.
A senior software engineer in the U.S. can cost $140K–$175K in base salary alone. In LATAM, the same role typically lands between $58K–$96K depending on country, skillset, and structure.
Yes, you’ll save 30–50%. But “cheap” doesn’t describe the level of experience, English fluency, or professional maturity that top LATAM devs bring. Especially not in 2025.
At Sapiens, we’ve seen this firsthand. Our teams include developers who’ve worked on mission-critical fintech apps, AI-enabled SaaS products, and enterprise platforms — all from the same time zones as their U.S. counterparts.
Expectation: “Hiring takes forever.”
Reality: You can onboard in 2–4 weeks.
If you’re posting jobs on LinkedIn and hoping for traction — yes, it’ll take a while.
But through structured partners, pre-vetted LATAM candidates can be interviewed, signed, and onboarded in under a month. Agencies like Awana, Interfell, and Sapiens run curated vetting pipelines and deliver matched profiles in days, not months.
Week 1: Role intake and alignment
Week 2: Candidate shortlist
Week 3: Interviews
Week 4: Offer + onboarding
Hiring in LATAM developers doesn’t have to be a slog. With the right partner, it’s a fast, focused process.
Expectation: “There will be language and timezone issues.”
Reality: The overlap is better than you think.
65% of LATAM devs work EST/CST hours. Most speak English fluently (B2 and above). And culturally, collaboration tends to align more closely with U.S. teams than with offshore locations further away.
The result? Slack messages, standups, and sprint reviews don’t get lost in translation or time.
At Sapiens, our devs integrate directly with client teams, participate in retros, and even lead product squads. They’re not “outsourced” — they’re embedded.
Expectation: “This is just a stopgap.”
Reality: Long-term engagement is the norm — if you treat people right.
Retention is a serious edge. Most LATAM developers in 2025 want to grow with a company. But retention doesn’t just happen.
The best teams stay when they feel trusted, challenged, and supported. That’s why our most-valued benefits aren’t flashy — they’re thoughtful:
- Remote work by default
- Wellness subsidies
- Paid and unpaid personal days
- Birthday off
- Private health insurance
In Q1 2025, our attrition rate was just 2%. That’s 10x lower than the U.S. average for engineering teams.
The AI Factor
AI is already transforming how code is written, reviewed, and shipped. But it’s not replacing developers — it’s changing their role.
What’s increasingly valuable isn’t who can write the most code, but who can design scalable systems, validate prompts, and iterate collaboratively. And that’s where nearshore really shines.
Proximity, context-sharing, and speed of feedback loops matter more than ever.
So, what’s the real picture in 2025?
- LATAM developers in 2025 are not a shortcut — they’re a strategic investment.
- With the right team model, you can scale in weeks, save up to 50%, and improve delivery.
- Hiring is fast, onboarding is smooth, and delivery is reliable when you work with the right partner.
We’ve seen companies save up to 40% while increasing delivery velocity. Not because they cut corners — but because they built the right team the right way.
