When U.S. companies begin searching for a product designer, cost is often one of their biggest concerns. So, how much does it cost to hire a product designer? The answer varies widely depending on experience, location, and engagement model. However, Latin America is emerging as a smart alternative for high-quality talent at a fraction of U.S. rates.
In this blog, we explain what product designers do, how their experience affects pricing, and why hiring in Latin America offers cost savings and strategic benefits. Whether you're scaling a SaaS product, developing a new app, or improving your UX/UI, this guide will help you hire the right designer without compromising quality or budget.
What is a Product Designer and What Do They Do?
A product designer is a professional who focuses on the creation of products that are both functional and aesthetically appealing to users. Their role involves combining various design elements, user experience (UX), user interface (UI), and even some technical skills to ensure the product is easy to use, visually attractive, and aligns with the needs of the target audience.
A product designer is more than just someone who makes interfaces look pretty. They’re strategic thinkers who combine user research, UI/UX design, and business objectives to create products that truly work—for users and companies alike.
Their responsibilities often include:
- User Research & Problem Solving – Understanding what users need and designing solutions that address those pain points.
- UI/UX Design – Creating intuitive interfaces and ensuring a smooth user experience across platforms.
- Prototyping & Testing – Building and testing interactive prototypes before development starts, reducing risks and wasted resources.
- Collaboration with Developers and Product Teams – Ensuring designs are technically feasible and aligned with product goals.
In the next section, we’ll break down the costs of hiring a product designer, so you can better plan your budget and make an informed decision.
Learn more about hiring top product designers in Mexico versus Colombia.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Product Designer?
In Latin America, the monthly cost of hiring a full-time product designer typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 USD, depending on experience, location, and skill set. This equates to an estimated hourly rate of $18 to $31, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek.
While many product designers in Latin America work on a monthly rate, some companies prefer to estimate project budgets using an hourly rate. If you're wondering how much it costs to hire a product designer, this hourly range can help you compare pricing models and plan accordingly.
Below, we break down how these costs vary by experience level so you can decide what makes the most sense for your business.
How Experience Level Affects the Cost of Hiring a Product Designer
When hiring a product designer, experience is one of the main factors that impact pricing. While junior designers may seem like the most affordable option, companies often look for mid to senior-level professionals who can handle complex tasks with minimal guidance. Here’s a breakdown of typical costs and what to expect at each level:
- Mid-Level Product Designer: Mid-level designers usually have 2 to 4 years of experience and are comfortable working independently on most tasks. They can create user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and contribute to UX research. While they may still need occasional direction, they understand design systems, can collaborate well with developers, and support product decisions with data.
Estimated cost: $3,000 – $3,750/month - Senior Product Designer: With 5+ years of experience, senior designers take on more ownership of the product vision. They lead UX/UI strategy, conduct in-depth user research, test assumptions, and align closely with product managers and engineers.
Estimated cost: $3,750 – $4,500/month - Design Manager or Director: These professionals combine deep design expertise with leadership skills. They usually oversee design teams, define design standards, manage stakeholders, and align the design vision with overall business strategy. Ideal for companies scaling a product or building a design team from scratch.
Estimated cost: $5,000 – $6,250/month
Learn more about hiring top product designers in Colombia vs Argentina.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Product Designer in Latin America?
Hiring a product designer in LATAM can lead to substantial cost savings while still providing access to skilled, experienced professionals. Many LATAM designers have worked with international teams, speak fluent English, and follow modern design practices that align with U.S. standards.
Below is a comparison of average monthly and hourly rates across key LATAM countries:
Learn more about hiring Latin American developers. The Complete Guide.
LATAM vs. U.S.: More Than Just Lower Costs
While cost is a major factor, companies that hire product designers in Latin America often discover additional advantages beyond pricing. One of the most valuable is time zone alignment—teams in LATAM work during similar hours as those in the U.S., enabling real-time collaboration, faster decision-making, and smoother communication. This is a major advantage compared to hiring offshore talent in distant time zones.
Learn more about the top five advantages of outsourcing to Latin America.
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 Choose Teilur Talent for Your Product Design Needs?
We help U.S. companies hire top-tier product designers in Latin America with full transparency, long-term reliability, and cultural alignment. Unlike traditional agencies, we build strong relationships between companies and talent to ensure long-term success and low turnover.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Transparent pricing: Our fixed fee is 20%, and it won't increase over time. If you choose to give your designer a raise, they will receive 100% of it.
90% retention rate: We prioritize long-term collaboration and send you candidates who are genuinely interested in your project, values, and business.
Vetting for motivation and fit: Before sending any profiles, we introduce the candidate to your company, team, and mission. Only those who are fully aligned and excited move forward in the process.
What the Hiring Process Looks Like
At Teilur Talent, we believe that hiring should feel personal, not transactional. Our process is designed to give clients and candidates the tools they need to succeed together.
Discovery and alignment: We take the time to deeply understand your company, culture, and project needs.
Ongoing support and feedback: We regularly meet with both the client and the designer—every 15 days during onboarding and then monthly—to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
Red flag prevention: If something feels off, we address it early. We identify potential issues, recommend solutions, and support both parties to prevent bigger problems down the road.
By working closely with both parties, we do more than just match talent—we help build lasting relationships that lead to better design outcomes and more motivated teams.
Learn more about how Teilur Talent is disrupting the recruiting industry with transparent pricing.
FAQ
How much does it cost to have a product designed?
Hiring a full-time product designer in Latin America typically costs between $3,000 to $5,000 USD per month, depending on experience and the country. In the U.S., the same role can range from $8,000 to $12,000+ per month.
What is the day rate for a product designer?
Day rates vary by location and experience. In LATAM, the equivalent daily rate ranges from $150 to $250, while in the U.S., it’s common to see $400 to $800 or more per day for mid- to senior-level designers.
How much do freelance product designers charge?
Freelancers in LATAM often charge between $25 to $50 USD per hour, while in the U.S., rates usually fall between $60 to $120 USD per hour or more. Rates can go higher for senior designers or specialized design work.
How much does it cost to hire a UX designer?
UX designers in LATAM typically charge similar rates to product designers, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 USD per month for full-time work. Hourly rates are usually around $25 to $50 USD. In the U.S., expect to pay $100 to $150+ per hour for a UX designer with experience.
Conclusion
Hiring the right product designer is a critical decision, and businesses are now realizing that great design doesn't have to come with a Silicon Valley price tag. Latin America offers an ideal combination of affordability, skill, and real-time collaboration for sourcing design talent. If you're wondering how much it costs to hire a product designer, this guide has provided you with the knowledge to answer that question confidently and strategically.
Try our cost calculator to receive a personalized estimate based on your specific needs. It only takes a minute! If you’re ready to hire us or have more questions, contact us. We specialize in connecting U.S. companies with top-tier product designers in Latin America who are ready to make an impact.
