Complete guide

How to find software developers in Medellin

Medellin
March 1, 2023
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Medellin is the capital of Colombia's Antioquia department, located in the Aburra Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the second-largest city in Colombia and is known for its modern infrastructure and progressive social development. The city has an urbanized transport system, a vibrant nightlife, and a diverse range of cultural activities. It has become a major industrial and commercial center in the region, and is home to a number of universities, museums, parks, and other attractions. Medellin is also a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a variety of activities, including shopping, dining, and nightlife. Medellin is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Medellin 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 Medellin 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 Medellin, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Medellin is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Medellin

Medellin is quickly becoming one of the leading tech hubs in Latin America, with tech talent continuing to grow in the city. According to data published by the Medellin Chamber of Commerce, the city has more than 37,000 tech professionals, which is the largest concentration of tech talent in Colombia. The city also has more than 3,500 tech startups and incubators, with an estimated $151 million in venture capital investments in 2018. Additionally, the city's unemployment rate is below the national average, and the average salary for tech professionals is higher than other professions. All of these factors make Medellin an attractive destination for tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors.

The tech ecosystem in Medellin

Medellin is home to one of the most vibrant tech ecosystems in Latin America. The city is home to an abundance of tech startups, venture capital firms, and accelerator programs. There is a thriving culture of collaboration, with a variety of meetups, hackathons, and other events taking place throughout the year. The city is also home to the largest tech and entrepreneurship conference in Latin America, Ruta N. The government of Medellin has been investing heavily in its tech sector, offering tax incentives and subsidies to encourage innovation. There is a wealth of talent in the city, with many universities and technical schools providing a steady stream of tech professionals.

Best tech meetups in Medellin

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. Medellin Tech Meetup
2. Medellin Software Crafters
3. Medellin Web Developers
4. Medellin Java User Group
5. Medellin DevOps
6. Medellin Machine Learning
7. Medellin Internet of Things
8. Medellin Cloud Computing
9. Medellin Mobile App Dev
10. Medellin AI and Robotics

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Medellin

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



1. Utilize online job portals such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn to find software developers in Medellin.

2. Reach out to local universities and colleges to gain access to the pool of software developers.

3. Utilize social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to post job openings and reach out to potential candidates.

4. Attend local technology conferences and hackathons to get connected with the right talent.

5. Utilize specialized recruitment agencies and online platforms to find the right talent for the job.

6. Network with local software development and technology communities to find the right talent for the job.

7. Leverage professional networking and referral programs to source potential software developers.

8. Leverage online and offline meetups to gain access to the pool of software developers.

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 Medellin 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 Medellin

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. Glassdoor
4. Craigslist
5. Facebook
6. Virtual Job Fairs
7. Job Portals
8. Networking Events
9. Professional Associations
10. Employee Referrals

Best remote job boards to find developers in Medellin

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. FlexJobs
2. Fiverr
3. Remote.co
4. Upwork
5. WeWorkRemotely
6. AngelList
7. Linkedin
8. Jobspresso
9. Indeed
10. Craigslist

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 Medellin

The average salary for a junior developer in Medellin is about COP$4,400,000 (USD$1,240) per month. This salary range is generally for developers with up to two years of experience. Salaries can vary depending on the type of company, project, and developer experience. Benefits such as health insurance, meal plans, and transportation are usually included in the salary package.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Medellin

The average salary for a Senior Developer in Medellin is approximately 3,841,000 Colombian Pesos (COP) per year. This salary is based on a range of factors including the developer's experience level, the type of development work being done, the size of the organization, and the location. Senior developers typically earn higher salaries than junior developers, as they have more experience and knowledge of coding and software development. In addition to their base salary, senior developers may also receive bonuses, stock options, and other forms of compensation depending on the organization.

Employing software developers (remotely)

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



An Employer of Record (EOR) can be a great way to hire employees in Medellin, Colombia. An EOR is an entity that takes on all of the legal responsibilities of hiring, paying, and managing a workforce in another country. This can be a great way to outsource the recruitment and payroll process, and ensure compliance with local labor laws.

Here are some steps to follow when using an EOR in Medellin, Colombia:

1. Choose an EOR that is well-versed in local labor laws. It is important to select an EOR that is familiar with the labor laws of Colombia, as this will ensure compliance and avoid any potential legal issues.

2. Make sure the EOR is registered with the Ministry of Labor. The EOR must be registered with the Ministry of Labor in order to be legally responsible for the employees.

3. Consult with the EOR about the required documents. The EOR will need to collect certain documents from the employees, such as identification documents and educational certificates.

4. Negotiate payment terms. It is important to negotiate payment terms with the EOR, including the frequency of payments, payment methods, and any additional fees.

5. Monitor compliance. Once the hiring process is complete, it is important to monitor compliance with local labor laws, and ensure that the employees are paid on time and in accordance with the negotiated payment terms.

Using an EOR to hire employees in Medellin can be an efficient and cost-effective way to ensure compliance with local labor laws, and manage the recruitment and payroll processes. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure a successful and compliant hiring process.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
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