With rapidly-evolving technologies, companies need highly skilled developers. After all, software engineers and developers build the necessary infrastructure that maintains, improves, and progresses the technologies we depend on and those that drive further innovation. With these skills in high demand, software developer salaries remain one of the most lucrative in the United States. Yet, emerging tech talent in other parts of the world presents companies with the opportunity to snatch up great talent while reducing costs and diversifying their teams.
So how do software engineer salaries compare in the U.S. and Mexico and what other considerations should companies look at when building their team?
We provide an overview of developer salaries in Mexico and the U.S. and why Mexico has become a hot spot for hiring.
Salaries for Software Developers in Mexico in 2022
In our Tech Salaries 2022 report, Coderslink deep dives into the state of Mexico’s tech ecosystem and outlines the trends, patterns, and unique characteristics of the country’s IT industry.
Mexico has a history of tech development and investment. Companies like IBM and Hewlett-Packard have had a presence there for several decades. Tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Pinterest, have also set up shop in Mexico, often building remote tech teams or establishing offices in the country.
Here’s a kicker of a fun fact: In the past ten years, the tech industry in Mexico has grown three times faster than the national average.
Based on our latest research—compiled from survey data, job postings from our 150 partners, and additional data from CodersLink 20,000+ engineering community— we’ve aggregated the latest salary numbers and relevant information regarding Mexico’s competitive tech ecosystem.
The data suggests that the average salary of an intermediate remote worker surveyed in Mexico is $3,981. That salary allows a remote worker to live comfortably in any city in the country, providing a great standard of living even in the more expensive cities. In the U.S., the average remote developer salary begins at about $92,3330 per year.
Are you wondering what it might cost your company to hire remote software developers? We have a tool to get you started. Try our Outsourcing Cost Calculator.
Let’s look at the average salaries.
Software Developer Salaries vs. Cost of Living in Mexican Cities
Salary expectations vary slightly by region in Mexico because— like in the U.S.— cost of living fluctuates depending on the state and the city. For example, Quintana Roo, Cancun has one of the lowest salary ranges compared with the cost of living. This gap is due to the area’s popularity with tourists, its high purchasing power, and the fact that it attracts a lot of digital nomads seeking life on the shore.
Cities like Queretaro have a great salary vs. cost of living ratio. The cost of living per person is averaged at about $650 per month with a salary of about $3,100. Mexico City, one of the nation’s most expensive areas, has an estimated cost of living at about $1,250 and a $3,250 salary expectation.
Salaries for Software Developers in the U.S. 2022
The expected salary for software developers in the United States is considerably higher. Like in Mexico, however, these salaries might have some variation depending on the region and its respective cost of living.
According to some numbers, the base salary for a software engineer in the U.S. is $92,851. Similarly, Glassdoor cites an average base salary at $85,000 with about $26,383 of additional pay (bonuses, perks, etc.)
Our research supports that hiring remote workers in Mexico is a cost-effective approach to hiring elite talent. Mexico’s top cities for tech talent include Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Merida, Tijuana, and Queretaro.
Software Developer Salaries vs. Cost of Living in the U.S.
Large U.S. cities will have a much higher cost of living, which means that companies or startups hiring top-level software engineers require a hefty budget to acquire experienced and skilled talent.
U.S. News suggests that the best-paying cities for software developers are San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Wenatchee, and Oxnard.
According to PayScale, the average cost of living in Seattle, for example, is 53% higher than the national average. This requires earnings at about $81,745 to maintain a high standard of living. The numbers are similar for San Jose, California, which requires about $82,066 of earnings to maintain a standard of living.
Other Comparisons Between Mexican and U.S. Software Engineers
Latin America (LATAM) is a growing market for software developers. Mexico currently graduates about 130,000 software engineers per year.
According to data, about 3,874 software engineering degrees were awarded in the U.S. in 2020. Lower numbers have impacted what has come to be known as the tech talent shortage in the U.S. Statistics show that there are five jobs for every one software developer, suggesting a major talent gap unable to keep up with demand.
The good news is that Mexico has invested heavily in cultivating a rich tech ecosystem. Thus, Mexico has a rich culture of active developer communities, outsourcing relationships with the U.S. and global companies, and growing venture-backed investment and startups.
In addition, because of its proximity to the U.S., cultural similarities, and shared time zones, Mexico is a first-rate choice for tech talent.
Mexico’s Top Education and Training Institutions
In order to get ahead, companies seek innovative talent to join their ranks. For many, this is a top question when hiring remote developers in a different country. How skilled is the talent?
Mexico has top-ranked universities that have built a reputation for rigorous programs and training. Big tech companies in the region have often worked with institutions to guide curriculum and guide education toward real-world training.
Mexico has a large number of STEM graduates and this number has been increasing for the past few decades. Several educational powerhouses have built a global reputation in the engineering sphere. Institute Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey or (ITESM) even has partnerships with top U.S. institutions for joint masters in software engineering and other programs. Even technology parks such as the Monterrey Technology Park connected to the University, contribute to the region’s overall innovative spirit.
Top tech universities of Mexico include:
- Tec de Monterrey
- Universided Autonoma de Guadalajara
- Universidad de Guadalajara
- National Autonomous University of Mexico
- National Polytechnic Institute
In the United States, the top software engineering schools are:
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of California, Berkeley
Tap Into Elite Talent With Competitive Software Developer Salaries in Mexico
Thinking behind remote hiring has undergone a cataclysmic shift. Companies previously thought of outsourcing as a cost reduction approach. Today, however, companies go where the talent is. Hiring top talent means your company produces the best products. The wave of remote work brought on by the pandemic has promoted the ability of companies to work across borders and build robust teams in different locations.
Mexico is a tech talent hub and one of the LATAM’s leading regions for hiring remote software engineers. CodersLink’s staffing and recruitment services connect companies with Mexico’s elite talent so they can establish remote teams or hire committed developers from afar.
The best part? CodersLink takes care of the administrative uncertainties—such as employment of record, access to qualified talent, and other talent sourcing responsibilities— that often cause hesitation when hiring outside the U.S.
Ready to beat the tech talent shortage and find elite software engineers?
Connect with CodersLink to learn more.
