Mexico has the largest IT industry in Latin America, with rapidly expanding tech talent pools, over $21 billion in exports, and a unique laboring culture that makes it a great place for IT organizations. The government is investing in, and multinational tech firms and VCs are heavily investing in the country's growing IT sector. Mexico has become a benchmark for assembling, aviation, and fintech enterprises globally, and American companies can capitalize on Mexico's surplus of tech talent, with the cost of talent acquisition being 30-40% lower than in the US or Canada. Kavak, one of Mexico's prodigies, has produced revenue even during the pandemic, grown significantly since its foundation, and aims to expand its business to emerging markets outside the region.
The largest IT industry in Latin America is located in Mexico. The country’s tech talent pools are rapidly expanding, graduating over 110,000 engineers each year. With over $21 billion in exports per year, Mexico is the 3rd largest IT exporter globally. With proximity to the US and relatively lower labor costs, this country has become a great place to take advantage of the highly-qualified workforce with a unique laboring culture that will make any IT organization thrive in this competitive business. This article will talk about the perks of hiring tech talent in Mexico and how to do it.
Mexico is a great attraction for foreign investment
Mexico's government is well aware of its workforce's excellent reputation, and that's why the region is now investing in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and math) training. The country’s IT outsourcing industry has grown at an average 10% annual rate for the past years, and foreign companies are constantly seeking labor opportunities thanks to incentive programs and tax benefits.
Mexico has demonstrated its ability to support tech and economic growth in the region. Moreover, many international tech companies are creating bonds with Mexican organizations, mainly because of the surplus of talent pools. Tech giants like Cisco and Intel have already established headquarters in the region. Multinational tech firms and VCs are also heavily investing in the country's growing IT sector due to highly qualified employees with an excellent work culture.
Country
Mid-Level (3-5 years)
Senior (5-8+ years)
Specialized (AI/ML/Arch)
Brazil
$4,500 - $6,000
$7,500 - $10,500
$11,500+
Mexico
$4,800 - $6,500
$8,000 - $11,000
$12,000+
Colombia
$4,000 - $5,500
$7,000 - $9,500
$10,500+
Argentina
$3,800 - $5,200
$6,500 - $9,000
$10,000+
Feature
Teilur Talent
Deel (EOR Model)
Pricing Structure
Transparent 80/20 Split
Flat Fee / Markups
Talent Visibility
Direct access to salary data
Cost usually bundled
Retention Strategy
Fair-pay & culture-focused
Compliance-focused
Geographic Depth
LATAM Specialists
General Global Coverage
Seniority Level
Monthly Total Cost (USD)
Annual Total Cost (USD)
Experience / Profile
Mid-Level
$4,000 – $6,000
$48,000 – $72,000
3–6 years; Strong English; FinTech or Cloud focus.
Senior
$6,300 – $9,600
$75,600 – $115,200
6+ years; Lead experience; Architecture & Mentorship.
Specialized (AI/ML)
$9,200 – $13,800
$110,400 – $165,600
Experts in LLMs, Data Engineering, or Cybersecurity.
Seniority Level
Monthly Total Cost (USD)
Annual Total Cost (USD)
Experience / Profile
Mid-Level
$3,800 – $5,800
$45,600 – $69,600
3–6 years; Independent; Full-stack or Backend focus.
Senior
$6,200 – $9,500
$74,400 – $114,000
6+ years; Lead experience; Architecture & Mentorship.
Specialized (AI/Cloud)
$9,000 – $13,500
$108,000 – $162,000
Experts in AI Integration, AWS/Azure, or Cybersecurity.
Feature
Nearshore
Offshore
EOR (Employer of Record)
Direct Hire
Time Zone
Same/Overlap (±2 hrs)
Significant Gap (+10 hrs)
Varies by location
Local to HQ
Speed to Hire
1–3 Weeks
2–4 Weeks
2–6 Weeks
2–4 Months
Operational Control
High (Real-time)
Medium (Asynchronous)
Low (Legal focus)
Maximum
Compliance Risk
Managed by Partner
High (Variable)
Zero (Legal Shield)
Internal Responsibility
Cost
Mid-range
Lowest
Moderate (Fees apply)
Highest (Tax + Benefits)
Mexico’s Tech Hubs
The cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey are being named the Latin America Silicon Valley because private businesses, local government, and academic institutions are working along to position the cities as major IT hubs worldwide. Since 2012, IBM and HP have had a presence in the region, generating over $100 billion. And local startups like Jüsto and Konfío have received more than $150 million from investors.
The country is already home to 600,000 people who hold IT positions and 2,000 IT companies approximately. While some of those companies are established and well-known firms, most of them are startups. One of Mexico’s prodigies is Kavak, which has produced revenue even during the pandemic. This startup has grown since its foundation in 2016 at an average of 25% per month! Now, Kavak has a $4 billion valuation in the market.
Currently operating in Mexico and Argentina and close to starting operations in Brazil, Kavak is seeking expansion in all Latin America over the next 12 months and aims to expand its business to emerging markets outside the region. In April 2021, CEO Carlos García said: “Crossing the Atlantic is one of our ambitions. (...) We see a lot of markets in Europe, in Southeast Asia, and in the Middle East where we could have significant value.”
For the Mexican government, tech education is of the utmost importance. In order to be competitive at a global scale where technical proficiency is a requirement, Mexico has destined more than the 6% of its GDP towards the improvement of academic institutions since 2010. In contrast, countries like Russia, Switzerland, or Australia have destined lower investments towards their academic growth.
Not only the country produces diverse talent pools at a lower cost than you’ll find within the US, but also a lot of Mexican universities offer highly standardized STEM programs that rank higher than major US academic institutions. As a result, foreign investments are developing the offshoring IT industry in Mexico because the people they employ possess high skills to perform tasks that require a high level of technical expertise.
First, the country’s time zones align with US work hours, enabling real-time collaboration compared to other tech hubs globally. The Mexican culture shares remarkable things with the American way as well. More than a country known for its hardworking people, approximately 12% of the Mexican population is bilingual, which means that over 15 million people speak English.
Even though there’s uncertainty with the diplomatic relations between the neighboring countries of the US and Mexico, private companies of each parties are very interested in keeping favorable conditions while doing business due to the profitable revenues they have been achieving while working together. As the US tech industry continues to grow exponentially, tech companies will keep looking for ways to supplement the demand of the tech workforce, and Mexico will have an essential role in this process.
Tech Infrastructure in Mexico
As stated by the Mexican Internet Association, the country will have 84.1 million internet clients by June 2021. Due to its impressive 4G (And future 5G) network, Mexico is positioning itself as a benchmark for assembling, aviation, and fintech enterprises globally. By the end of 2020, Mexico had more than 126 million dynamic remote lines, with 80% being in metropolitan zones, and thanks to the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), there’s a new window opening for the development of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) firms.
Nowadays, American companies have an incredible opportunity to capitalize on Mexico’s surplus of tech talent. The cost of talent acquisition is 30-40% lower than in the US or Canada. Nevertheless, companies like Teilur Talent manage the hiring process, from recruiting and payroll to international contract compliances. The organization's only job is to interview top candidates and pick the best fit for their culture and long-term goals, and Teilur Talent takes care of the rest.
If you're a CEO or Founder of an innovative startup that is looking for great tech talent, Teilur Talent is the right solution for you!
Teilur Talent is the top IT recruiting and staffing firm in Latin America and you can access to our exclusive network of top Engineers, Software Developers, Product Designers & Data Experts by clicking here.
Toptal vs Teilur Talent Comparison
Concept
Toptal
Teilur Talent
Business Model
Global freelance marketplace connecting clients with vetted professionals in software, design, and finance.
LATAM-focused recruitment company connecting businesses with full-time remote developers and tech professionals.
Selectivity Claim
Claims to accept less than 3% of applicants, based on its internal screening process.
Works only with pre-vetted, bilingual professionals in LATAM, selected for technical and communication skills.
Recruitment Process
Multi-stage: timed skills test → English interview → real-world project → live screen evaluation.
Direct evaluation of experience, portfolio, and communication ability. Matches candidates by vertical (QA, Software, Cybersecurity, Data & BI) and company culture.
Trial or Test Period
Offers a two-week trial, refundable if client isn’t satisfied.
No fixed trial period — focuses on long-term retention and transparent onboarding.
Contract Type
Typically weekly contracts (20 or 40 hours) with limited flexibility for short-term projects.
Flexible monthly agreements, allowing scalability per project scope and company needs.
Transparency
Pricing details not publicly disclosed. Clients see a blended hourly rate including Toptal’s markup.
Fully transparent pricing model. Clients see how much goes to the developer and how much is Teilur’s service fee.
Commission / Markup
Estimated around 40–50%, based on user reports and external reviews.
Capped at 20%. At least 80% of client payment goes directly to the developer.
Initial Deposit
Requires a $500 refundable deposit to start the search process.
No upfront deposit required.
Client Support
Account managers available during hiring and engagement. Support quality varies by project.
Personalized support from start to finish, ensuring alignment for both client and talent.
Developer Pay Transparency
Developers are contractually restricted from disclosing their actual pay rates.
Developers know their full compensation and see transparent rate breakdowns.
Geographic Focus
Global, with talent from Eastern Europe, Asia, and LATAM.
Exclusive to Latin America, optimizing time-zone alignment and cultural fit.
Turnover Rate
Not publicly disclosed.
Reported below 15%, reflecting strong retention and satisfaction.
Best For
Large enterprises or teams needing globally distributed freelance specialists.
U.S. and international companies seeking transparent, long-term partnerships with vetted LATAM developers.
We are incredibly pleased with Teilur Talent as our talent partner. Their expertise has allowed us to recruit qualified candidates from abroad, making the hiring process smooth and efficient - highly recommended for any company looking to expand their talent pool!
"Great for recruiting" What do you like best about Teilur Talent? Recruiting tool for connecting talent in South and Central America to job postings in the USA. What problems is Teilur solving and how is that benefiting you? Vetted candidates that we are able to use in our agency.
Teilur Talent helped me land a high-paying role, and everything has been great so far. If you ever have the opportunity to work with them, do so. I highly recommend it!
I have heard of Teilur Talent, and I think it is a very innovative and socially responsible company. I also think it has a very positive culture and cares about its employees and customers.
My experience with Teilur Talent has been overwhelmingly positive from the start. Transparency and clear communication were standout features throughout my journey with the company. Highly recommended!
"Argentina offers highly competitive labor costs compared to other nearshoring destinations. With a strong focus on software and IT services, Argentina's tech talent pool is growing, and the country is already a resource for tech giants like Google."
Teilur Talent featured in...
"Brazil offers an attractive combination of cost-effectiveness and high-quality talent. With reportedly more than 500,000 software developers and an impressive annual growth rate, Brazil boasts the largest tech talent pool in LATAM."
Teilur Talent featured in...
"Teilur Talent recognized as the top IT Recruiting & Staffing firm in Latin America, Teilur Talent has made valuable contributions towards making the IT workspace more efficient and streamlined."
Teilur Talent featured in...
"Teilur Talent is the world’s first talent development network connecting U.S. tech startups and remote developers from Latin America!"
At Teilur, Inc, we are committed to accuracy and fairness in all our content. Our discussions and comparisons, particularly those concerning other businesses in the recruitment industry, are grounded in the best interpretations made by our dedicated staff, based on publicly available information. We hold a deep respect for the unique qualities of each organization within our field and strive to offer valuable insights rooted in our core beliefs about the recruitment industry's workings. If you encounter any factual inaccuracies in our content, we encourage you to reach out to us at content-research@teilurtalent.com with the specific URL in question. Your feedback is invaluable, and we are committed to reviewing and addressing your concerns.
Got questions? We've got answers.
1
How is Teilur Talent different from other tech recruiting companies in LATAM?
At Teilur Talent, we take a mission-focused approach to recruiting, ensuring that our candidates are aligned with your company's vision and goals. Unlike other tech recruiting companies in LATAM, who may focus solely on technical skills, we prioritize the cultural fit and dedication of our team members to your company. For this reason, we do not support project contractor or freelancer roles. Instead, we focus on fully devoted team members who will help you achieve long-term success.
2
How does Teilur Talent attract and retain the best talent compared to other companies?
At Teilur Talent, we offer our candidates competitive salaries that are 2x to 3x higher than what tech companies would pay locally. This allows us to attract top talent and retain highly motivated and loyal team members. Additionally, we focus on finding candidates whose values align with the purpose, vision, and mission of our clients. This approach ensures that our engineers and tech talent are not just coding and completing task rather, they become part of a greater purpose, which gives them meaning and helps us attract and retain the best talent.
3
What are the typical tech roles that Teilur Talent recruits for?
At Teilur Talent, we specialize in recruiting for a wide range of tech roles that are typically in high demand. These include positions such as DevOps engineers, AI Developers, QA analysts and engineers, back-end and front-end developers, data scientists, product managers, business developers, and technical sales positions. Essentially, we recruit for most roles that are needed in B2B and B2C tech-focused businesses.
4
What are Teilur Talent's fees and pricing structure?
At Teilur Talent, we believe in transparency. We charge a flat rate fee of 20% of what the client pays. This way, our clients know exactly what they are paying for and how much the candidate gets. As an example: If a client hires a software engineer for $60,000 per year ($5,000 per month), Teilur's monthly fee would be $1,000 (20% of $5,000). We don't believe in hidden fees or unwanted surprises, so we disclose all costs upfront to both candidates hired and companies. When exploring other alternatives, make sure they are transparent about their pricing. We believe this is paramount for the benefit of all parties involved in this new era of remote work.
5
What is the candidate screening process at Teilur Talent, and how do you ensure a good fit for my company?
At Teilur Talent, we take candidate screening very seriously. We use a multi-layered approach to find the best candidates for our clients, starting with screening thousands of candidates from our internal and proprietary networks. We leverage AI technology to assess whether a candidate matches the technical skills required for a given job opening. We also perform additional personal evaluations to ensure that the candidate has the soft skills, culture fit, and English language skills required to excel in their new role. Our rigorous screening process ensures that only the best candidates make it through to our clients, saving them time and helping them find the best talent for their teams.
