Complete guide

How to find software developers in Los Angeles

Los Angeles
March 1, 2023
Share:

Los Angeles is the second most populous city in the United States and the most populous in the state of California. It is located on the west coast of the United States and is the home of the entertainment industry. It is also a major center for business, international trade, culture, media, fashion, science, sports, and technology. Los Angeles is a vibrant and diverse city with a rich history and is one of the most visited cities in the world. Los Angeles is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Los Angeles are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Los Angeles you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Los Angeles, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Los Angeles is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Los Angeles

According to the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, Los Angeles County is home to the largest concentration of tech talent in the country, boasting over 200,000 tech professionals. Its tech talent pool is growing at a rate of 4.4% annually, which is faster than the national average of 3.1%. The tech industry in Los Angeles currently contributes more than $40 billion to the local economy and is responsible for over 500,000 jobs. The top five industries in terms of tech talent are software and IT services, media and entertainment, e-commerce, financial technology, and gaming.

The tech ecosystem in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to a robust and vibrant tech ecosystem. This ecosystem includes a wide range of venture capital firms, accelerators, incubators, universities, research institutions, and other support organizations. There is a strong emphasis on software and hardware startups in the area, and the city has attracted many large tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple. The city also has an active startup scene, with a number of co-working spaces, meetups, hackathons, and other events taking place regularly. Additionally, the city is home to many influential tech companies such as Snapchat and SpaceX.

Best tech meetups in Los Angeles

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Los Angeles Tech Meetup
2. LA Tech Happy Hour
3. Silicon Beach Los Angeles
4. LA Women in Tech
5. L.A. Startup & Entrepreneur Network
6. LA UX Designers
7. Los Angeles Virtual Reality Meetup
8. Front End Developers of Los Angeles
9. LA Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Network
10. LA JavaScript Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Los Angeles

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Utilize job boards and online platforms: There are a number of job boards and online platforms that can be used to source software development talent in Los Angeles. Popular job boards such as Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor offer a great way to find software developers in the area.

2. Attend industry events: Trade shows, meetups, and other industry events are a great way to meet and connect with software developers in the Los Angeles area.

3. Leverage your network: Utilizing your network of contacts, such as former colleagues, friends, and family, can be a great way to source software developers in Los Angeles.

4. Try a staffing agency: Staffing agencies specialize in sourcing, vetting, and recruiting software developers. They can be a great resource to help find the right person for your project.

5. Utilize freelance websites: Freelance websites, such as Upwork and Toptal, are a great way to find software developers in Los Angeles. These websites offer a wide variety of developers with different levels of experience and expertise.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Los Angeles is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Los Angeles

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Indeed
3. AngelList
4. Glassdoor
5. Craigslist
6. ZipRecruiter
7. TheLadders
8. Monster
9. DiversityJobs
10. Hired.com

Best remote job boards to find developers in Los Angeles

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Upwork
2. FlexJobs
3. Freelancer
4. LinkedIn
5. AngelList
6. PeoplePerHour
7. Guru
8. Remote OK
9. Indeed
10. WeWorkRemotely

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Los Angeles

The average salary for a junior developer in Los Angeles is around $81,000 per year. This salary range includes entry-level and junior-level positions, and is typically made up of base salary plus any bonuses or other incentives. Junior developers in Los Angeles typically receive a base salary of about $60,000-$70,000 per year, with the potential to earn bonuses or other incentives if they meet certain performance benchmarks. Additionally, most junior developers in Los Angeles receive benefits such as health insurance, vacation days, and other perks.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Los Angeles

The average salary for a senior developer in Los Angeles is $140,181. This salary breaks down as follows:Base Salary: $120,000Bonus: $10,000Stock Options: $8,181Additional Benefits: $2,000Total: $140,181

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Los Angeles. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Los Angeles. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Los Angeles.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a company that handles the administrative, financial, and legal responsibilities associated with hiring and managing employees for businesses. It is a great way for businesses in Los Angeles to outsource the complex process of hiring, onboarding, and managing employees.

Here’s how to use an Employer of Record in Los Angeles:

1. Research and select an EOR: Look for an EOR that offers services that fit your needs and is located in the Los Angeles area. Check to see if they have experience in the industry you’re looking to hire in and if they are familiar with the local labor laws.

2. Sign a contract: Once you’ve chosen an EOR, you’ll need to enter into a contract with them. This will include details such as the services you need and the fees that you will pay.

3. Hire and onboard employees: Your EOR will help you find the right candidates for the job. Once you’ve made an offer and the candidate has accepted, your EOR will handle the onboarding process, including all of the paperwork and compliance requirements.

4. Manage payroll and taxes: Your EOR will manage payroll, calculate taxes, and handle benefits enrollment and administration.

5. Manage employee relations: Your EOR will also handle employee relations, such as addressing grievances, implementing performance management systems, and responding to employee disputes.

By using an Employer of Record in Los Angeles, you can save time, money, and resources and ensure that your business is compliant with local labor laws.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

More content like this

Sign up and receive the best new tech recruiting content weekly.
Thank you! Fresh tech recruiting content coming your way 🧠
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Latest Articles