As a hiring manager or recruiter for a U.S. tech company, you know how important and challenging it is to find top AI engineering talent. The competitive U.S. market, skyrocketing salaries, and limited local talent pool make the process even more difficult. Exploring nearshoring options in Latin America, particularly in AI hubs like Mexico and Colombia, offers a practical alternative.
In this article, we'll explore why these markets stand out and compare their advantages to help you make hiring decisions with confidence, whether you're growing a startup or expanding an established IT department.
Hire AI Engineers: Mexico vs. Colombia Talent Comparison
Choosing between Mexico and Colombia to hire AI engineers can seem complicated, especially when each offers unique advantages. To help you visualize the differences, we've created a comparison chart that highlights key factors to consider, such as cost, technical expertise, and cultural alignment. This graphical radar simplifies the key metrics to quickly determine which country best suits your company's needs.
Monthly salaries for an AI engineer vary by country, experience, and company. Below are estimates for Colombia and Mexico:
Cost of hiring AI Engineers in Mexico vs Colombia.
Mexico
The salary of an AI engineer varies by source and location. The average monthly net salary is approximately $3,000 USD. On the other hand, Salary Expert notes that the average gross annual salary in Mexico City is $31,275 USD, equivalent to about $2,600 USD per month.
Colombia
The average monthly salary of an AI engineer in Colombia is approximately $2,000 USD. This value can fluctuate between $1,000 and $2,500 USD, depending on experience and company, offering an affordable option for businesses seeking to hire AI engineers while managing costs.
Read more about hiring dedicated developers.
Mexico vs. Colombia: Where to Hire AI Engineers
AI Expertise in Mexico
Mexico boasts a strong academic foundation in engineering and computer science. Renowned institutions like Monterrey Institute of Technology produce graduates skilled in machine learning, natural language processing, and data analytics. Mexico's technology sector is projected to grow between 5% and 6% annually through 2024. Key areas of expansion include IT services and software development.
Notable Strengths:
- Expertise in deep learning and robotics.
- Large tech hubs in Guadalajara and Monterrey.
- Strong partnerships with U.S. companies for upskilling talent.
Learn more about Hiring Tech Talent in Mexico.
AI Expertise in Colombia
Colombia has rapidly become a hub for tech talent in Latin America, with Medellín dubbed the "Silicon Valley of South America." Universities like Universidad Nacional and Universidad de los Andes foster a new generation of AI engineers skilled in predictive modeling, automation, and computer vision. Additionally, Colombia’s tech sector is expected to see significant growth, with a focus on sectors such as AI and data analysis. By 2025, Colombia's GDP is expected to grow by 2.8%, driven by technological investment, further supporting the expansion of AI talent.
Notable Strengths:
- Growing startup ecosystem supporting AI innovation.
- High adaptability to new AI frameworks.
- Competitive talent pricing without compromising quality.
Learn more about Hiring Tech Talent in Colombia.
Our thoughts on the pricing structure of Toptal
While it's not possible for us to find details about how much of what a client pays ultimately goes to a candidate, we believe clients looking for transparent and straightforward pricing may want to look at other alternatives.
Our opinion is that if they are charging a client more than $12,000 monthly for a developer, they should at the very least be giving $9,600 to the candidate, but it's likely that it's even less than that.
What Hiring Managers Should Ask Before Choosing a Talent Partner
Before partnering with any talent provider — whether Toptal, Teilur, or others — hiring managers should consider asking the following key questions:
- What percentage of the fee actually goes to the talent?
- Are replacement or satisfaction guarantees included in the contract?
- How are regional salary benchmarks determined?
- Is there full transparency in how rates are broken down?
- What is the long-term cost difference between hiring directly and through a platform?
These questions can help businesses make informed decisions and ensure that pricing aligns with both market realities and ethical compensation practices.
Why Time Zones Matter When You Hire AI Engineers
One of the biggest advantages of nearshoring Mexico and Colombia for hiring AI engineers is their time zone alignment.
Hire AI Engineers in Mexico with Real-Time Benefit
The time difference between Mexico, Colombia, and the United States varies by region and observance of daylight saving time. Mexico has multiple time zones, from the Northwest Zone (UTC−08:00) to the Southeast Zone (UTC−05:00), which coincides with Eastern Time in the United States. As of October 2022, Mexico eliminated daylight saving time in most of the country, except for Baja California and some border municipalities.
Hire AI Engineers in Colombia Real-Time Benefit
Colombia operates year-round in the UTC−05:00 time zone, with no daylight saving time. During U.S. Standard Time, Bogotá and cities such as Washington D.C. or New York have the same time. However, during daylight saving time in the U.S., these cities move forward one hour, creating a one-hour difference from Bogotá.
The time zone alignment between Mexico, Colombia, and the U.S. plays a crucial role when you hire AI engineers remotely. It enables real-time communication, faster response times, and seamless integration into your team, which is particularly valuable for businesses that require constant collaboration. A shared workday across similar time zones not only enhances productivity but also reduces delays, making it easier to align on project timelines.
The Best Tech Ecosystems to Hire AI Engineers
Mexico
Mexico and Colombia are emerging as top destinations for hiring AI engineers due to their strong tech ecosystems. Mexico boasts well-established tech hubs like Guadalajara, with numerous coworking spaces, accelerators, and government support through initiatives like Prosoft. Mexico is one of the fastest growing IT markets in Latin America, with an increase of 5.9% in 2023, and is expected to maintain stable growth of around 6% in the coming years.
Colombia
Similarly, Colombia, particularly cities like Medellín, is making significant investments in AI-driven infrastructure and smart cities. With initiatives like Ruta N and strong public and private sector support for AI projects, Colombia is developing a talent pool skilled in practical, real-world AI applications. Both countries offer a rich environment for innovation, making them attractive options for companies looking to hire AI engineers.
How to Choose the Right Place to Hire AI Engineers
Selecting between Mexico and Colombia to hire AI engineers ultimately depends on your company’s specific priorities and goals. Both countries offer compelling advantages, but here’s how to align their strengths with your needs when deciding where to hire AI engineers:
- Looking for a Larger Talent Pool and U.S. Business Alignment?
Mexico’s proximity to the U.S., cultural familiarity, and established tech hubs make it an excellent choice. If your priority is real-time collaboration, seamless integration with U.S. business practices, and access to a broad base of experienced professionals, Mexico stands out as the ideal option. - Focusing on Cost Savings and Flexibility?
Colombia offers highly skilled AI engineers at competitive rates, making it a great fit for businesses seeking to optimize their budgets without sacrificing quality. With its rapidly growing tech ecosystem and adaptable talent, Colombia excels in providing innovative solutions tailored to your needs.
Find out more about the best country in Latin America for software development talent.
