Complete guide

How to find software developers in Manila, Philippines

Manila, Philippines
March 1, 2023
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Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a bustling metropolis with a rich history and culture. Located on the coast of the Philippine Sea, Manila is a vibrant and diverse city with a wide range of attractions and activities. It is home to the historic walled city of Intramuros, the iconic Rizal Park, and the world-famous Manila Bay. The city is also a major shopping destination, with numerous malls, markets, and boutiques. Manila is an exciting destination for visitors, offering a unique blend of old and new. Manila, Philippines is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Manila, Philippines 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 Manila, Philippines 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 Manila, Philippines, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Manila, Philippines is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Manila, Philippines

The statistics on tech talent in Manila, Philippines show that the city is quickly becoming a major hub of tech talent in Southeast Asia. The number of tech professionals employed in Manila has doubled in the past five years, with the city currently boasting over 400,000 tech professionals. The majority of these professionals are software developers, with a burgeoning startup scene and a vibrant tech community. Furthermore, the city is home to some of the top software development companies in the world, such as Accenture, Amazon and Microsoft. Manila also has the second highest concentration of tech professionals in the world, behind only Silicon Valley.

The tech ecosystem in Manila, Philippines

The tech ecosystem in Manila, Philippines is thriving and rapidly growing. The city is home to many large tech companies, such as IBM, Oracle, SAP, and HP, as well as a number of up-and-coming startups. There is an active venture capital community, with many venture capitalists and angel investors eager to invest in promising companies. The city also has a number of incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces, providing resources and support to entrepreneurs. Tech events such as Startup Weekend and Slingshot are also popular, providing ample networking opportunities. The government has also been very supportive of the tech scene, providing incentives and resources to help further the growth of the industry.

Best tech meetups in Manila, Philippines

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. ManilaPHP
2. ManilaJS
3. Manila DevOps
4. Ubuntu Philippines
5. Wordpress Manila
6. Google Developer Group Manila
7. Manila PyLadies
8. Manila Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Meetup
9. IoT & AI Manila
10. Manila Developers Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Manila, Philippines

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



1. Use Online Job Platforms: There are many online job platforms that can help you source software development talent in Manila, Philippines. Examples include JobStreet, Monster, and Indeed.

2. Use Professional Networks: Professional networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter can be great resources to find software development talent in Manila. You can search for profiles or post job postings to reach potential candidates.

3. Attend Job Fairs: Job fairs are a great way to connect with potential software development talent in Manila. Many companies and universities host job fairs in the region, so be sure to attend them.

4. Contact Universities: Universities and colleges in Manila are a great source for software development talent. Reach out to faculty members or career centers to find potential candidates.

5. Hire a Recruitment Agency: Hiring a recruitment agency can be a great way to source software development talent in Manila. Agencies will have access to a larger pool of potential candidates and can help you find the right fit for your team.

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 Manila, Philippines 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 Manila, Philippines

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. Jobstreet
2. Kalibrr
3. LinkedIn
4. Glassdoor
5. Craigslist
6. Upwork
7. Workabroad.ph
8. Trovit
9. Indeed
10. PinoyJobs.ph

Best remote job boards to find developers in Manila, Philippines

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. Freelancer.com
3. Fiverr
4. Remotive
5. We Work Remotely
6. Linkedin
7. Simply Hired
8. JobStreet
9. RemoteHub
10. Glassdoor

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 Manila, Philippines

The average salary for a junior developer in Manila, Philippines is approximately PHP 20,000 to PHP 25,000 per month. This excludes bonus and other benefits. This salary usually varies depending on the job requirements and experience of the developer. It is also important to note that salaries in the Philippines tend to be lower than salaries in other countries.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Manila, Philippines

The average salary for a senior developer in Manila, Philippines is Php 613,000 per year. This salary is based on data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale, and Glassdoor. The salary range for senior developers in Manila is typically between Php 476,000 to Php 850,000. Salary for senior developers in the Philippines can vary depending on experience and the type of company. Senior developers in the Philippines usually have experience working with a wide range of coding languages and frameworks, such as Java, PHP, and JavaScript. They also have a deep knowledge of web development and software engineering concepts. Senior developers are often responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining software applications and solutions. They may also be involved in developing new systems and applications, as well as providing technical support and guidance.

Employing software developers (remotely)

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



An Employer of Record (EOR) in Manila, Philippines is a service provider who acts as an employer on behalf of a company. The EOR is responsible for hiring, payroll, and the overall management of employees in the Philippines.

To use an Employer of Record in Manila, Philippines, a business first needs to decide which EOR provider to use. There are several reputable EOR providers in the Philippines, all of which provide different services and pricing structures. After deciding on an EOR provider, the business will need to sign an agreement and provide the necessary information about the company and the employees that will be hired.

The EOR provider will then handle all aspects of the employee hiring and management process, including salary and benefits administration, employee onboarding and training, payroll and timekeeping, and compliance with local labor laws. The EOR provider will also provide reporting and analytics to the business so that they can track the performance of their employees.

Using an Employer of Record in Manila, Philippines can help businesses save time, money, and resources while ensuring compliance with local labor laws. It also provides peace of mind knowing that the right measures are being taken to protect the company and its employees.

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

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