What full-time AI/ML and blockchain engineers earn in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, and what a US company pays to hire them through Teilur. All figures are in USD per month. They come from Teilur’s 2026 salary data, with US government wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for comparison.
Key takeaways
- A mid-level AI/ML engineer in Latin America starts at $5,150 per month all-in through Teilur. Our US reference for the same role is $12,500.
- A mid-level blockchain developer starts at $4,700 per month all-in. Our US reference is $11,875.
- Colombia and Argentina are the most affordable of the four markets. Mexico is the highest, and Brazil sits in between.
- Senior hires start at $7,800 per month (AI/ML) and $7,200 per month (blockchain).
- 80% of what you pay goes to the engineer. Teilur’s fee is a flat 20%, with no subscription.
How to read the numbers
Talent pay is what the engineer earns each month.
“You pay from” is the starting monthly amount you pay Teilur for a hire in that country. It includes the engineer’s pay and Teilur’s 20% fee. The final amount depends on the candidate you choose: a more experienced profile within the range costs more.
AI/ML engineer salaries (2026)
Covers Machine Learning Engineer, AI Developer and AI/ML Developer roles. USD per month.
Mid-level
| Country | Talent pay (low) | Talent pay (median) | Talent pay (high) | You pay from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 4,125 | 5,500 | 6,875 | 5,150 |
| Argentina | 4,125 | 5,500 | 6,875 | 5,150 |
| Brazil | 4,625 | 6,125 | 7,625 | 5,800 |
| Mexico | 4,750 | 6,375 | 7,875 | 5,950 |
| United States (reference) | 10,000 | 12,500 | 15,000 | — |
Senior
| Country | Talent pay (low) | Talent pay (median) | Talent pay (high) | You pay from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 6,250 | 8,250 | 10,375 | 7,800 |
| Argentina | 6,250 | 8,250 | 10,375 | 7,800 |
| Brazil | 6,875 | 9,125 | 11,500 | 8,600 |
| Mexico | 7,125 | 9,500 | 11,875 | 8,900 |
| United States (reference) | 13,375 | 16,750 | 20,125 | — |
Blockchain developer salaries (2026)
USD per month.
Mid-level
| Country | Talent pay (low) | Talent pay (median) | Talent pay (high) | You pay from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 3,750 | 5,000 | 6,250 | 4,700 |
| Argentina | 3,750 | 5,000 | 6,250 | 4,700 |
| Brazil | 4,250 | 5,625 | 7,000 | 5,300 |
| Mexico | 4,375 | 5,875 | 7,250 | 5,450 |
| United States (reference) | 9,125 | 11,875 | 14,625 | — |
Senior
| Country | Talent pay (low) | Talent pay (median) | Talent pay (high) | You pay from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 5,750 | 7,625 | 9,500 | 7,200 |
| Argentina | 5,750 | 7,625 | 9,500 | 7,200 |
| Brazil | 6,250 | 8,375 | 10,500 | 7,800 |
| Mexico | 6,500 | 8,750 | 10,875 | 8,100 |
| United States (reference) | 11,875 | 14,625 | 17,500 | — |
How Latin America compares with the US
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), the median software developer earns about $136,000 per year ($65.38 per hour), or about $11,300 per month. The median data scientist earns $120,230 per year, about $10,000 per month.
Our own US reference for a mid-level AI/ML engineer is $12,500 per month.
At $5,150 per month all-in, a mid-level AI/ML engineer hired through Teilur starts at less than half the US software developer median, before US payroll taxes and benefits.
What this means for your hiring budget
- Budget by country, not by region. A mid-level AI/ML engineer starts at $5,150 in Colombia or Argentina, $5,800 in Brazil and $5,950 in Mexico.
- Plan for senior when the work is specialized. Production MLOps, computer vision or protocol-level blockchain work usually needs a senior engineer, which starts at $7,800 (AI/ML) or $7,200 (blockchain) per month.
- AI/ML pays more than blockchain. In every market, the AI/ML median is higher than the blockchain median at the same level.
- Compare all-in to all-in. Some providers quote salary only and add employer-of-record, benefits or platform fees on top. With Teilur, the all-in number is the engineer’s pay plus our 20% fee, with nothing added.
Methodology
Teilur figures come from our 2026 salary data for full-time remote roles in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, plus a US reference row. The US comparison uses BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
This report covers the four markets where Teilur prices roles today. Chile, Peru and Uruguay are not included.
Related roles such as MLOps and computer vision engineers follow the AI/ML ranges until we publish separate figures.
FAQ
Does this cover all of Latin America?
It covers Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, the four markets where we price roles today.
Is this what the engineer earns or what I pay?
Both. The talent pay columns show what the engineer earns. The “You pay from” column shows your starting monthly cost through Teilur.
What is Teilur’s fee?
A flat 20% of what you pay. The other 80% goes to the engineer. There is no subscription.
How fast can I see candidates?
We send a shortlist in about 5 days.
Hiring an AI or blockchain engineer in Latin America?
Tell us the role and we’ll send a shortlist in about 5 days.
