Introduction

Hiring Peruvian software engineers offers US companies access to a growing tech talent pool, excellent English proficiency, and convenient time-zone alignment. Peru has invested in STEM education, producing a high percentage of engineering graduates – the highest in Latin America. Combined with lower labor costs, Peruvian developers earn roughly 30–50% less than US counterparts. Peru has emerged as an attractive nearshore hiring destination.

The country’s proximity to the US Eastern Time Zone ensures substantial work-hour overlap, facilitating real-time collaboration. Many Peruvian engineers speak fluent English, reducing communication barriers.

Why is Peru popular for tech hiring?

Peruvian engineers excel in modern stacks (Python, JS/TS), AI, data, and cloud, showing high versatility and adaptability for fast-paced projects. Lima is a strong tech hub with increasing digital transformation in sectors like fintech and logistics, supported by government initiatives like “Startup Peru”. Furthermore, Peruvian universities produce the highest percentage of engineering graduates in Latin America, with graduates excelling in problem-solving and in-demand skills like AI and machine learning.

Hiring costs in Peru are significantly lower compared to hiring locally, while maintaining the same high quality. Near-identical time zones with the U.S. facilitate seamless collaboration and faster iteration cycles for product teams.

How many developers are in Peru?

Peru has a tech talent pool of approximately 38,000 to 50,000 software developers, with most estimates converging around the 38,000+ figure. This number is growing rapidly, with an annual industry growth rate of about 9%, due to the country’s investment in STEM education and tech infrastructure.

Top cities to hire developers in Peru

The leading cities for hiring tech professionals in Peru include:

• Lima: Peru’s capital and largest tech center, hosting most software companies, universities, and a vast talent pool, benefiting from supportive government initiatives like Startup Peru and time zone alignment for international teams.
• Arequipa: A significant regional talent hub with developing tech ecosystems, known for skilled professionals and offering lower costs.
• Trujillo: Another key nearshore city with a solid base of skilled developers and competitive pricing.
• Cusco: While known for tourism, Cusco is developing its own regional technical talent pool.

How does Labor Law work in Peru?

Key laws and clauses related to Peru’s labor laws to note include:

• Peruvian law explicitly grants employees the right to disconnect outside working hours.
• Any hours beyond 48/week or more than 8/day are considered overtime, and must be paid at a higher rate of 125%-135% of the standard hourly rate.
• Employees are entitled to at least 24 consecutive hours of rest per week.
• Peruvian law requires two annual bonuses equivalent to one month’s salary each. The first (“Gratificación Fiestas Patrias”) is paid around July (Independence Day), and the second (“Gratificación Navidad”) around December.
• Employers must pay mandatory contributions on top of salary, including Health Insurance (EsSalud), Pension Fund (AFP/ONP), CTS (Severance/Unemployment Fund), and Workers’ Compensation.
• Employees are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid vacation per year after one year of service.
• Peru observes 12 to 15 official national holidays per year, which must be paid leave or else considered overtime.

Peruvian Labor Law can be difficult to navigate for US companies looking to hire in Peru without the support of a specialist firm like HireDevelopers.com.

Is it hard to hire a developer in Peru?

As a major tech hub, it can be hard to find highly skilled developers in Peru that fit your budget. Peru has a highly competitive tech talent market, with startups and small businesses struggling to compete with the salaries and benefits offered by major players in the region.

Talent retention can also be a challenge, with many developers looking to start their own companies as a result of Peru’s strong startup culture.

As a result, many companies are turning to dedicated tech hiring platforms like HireDevelopers.com to simplify the process of hiring developers and tech talent across Peru. These platforms offer a faster alternative to traditional hiring, offering thousands of pre-vetted engineers currently looking for new opportunities.

How much does it cost to hire a developer in Peru?

Glassdoor reports an average base salary of $15,000 to $25,000 annually for mid-level software engineers in Peru, with a range of PEN 3K to 6K per month.

With pre-vetted platforms like HireDevelopers.com, companies can save up to 80% on salaries and hiring costs when hiring Peruvian developers.

How to hire a developer in Peru

The first step to hiring a developer in Peru is to decide on a hiring method. Traditional hiring methods include local job adverts, LinkedIn job posts and using your professional network to identify potential candidates.

However, these methods are often time consuming and can be expensive. The median time to hire a developer is around 41 days, with the slowest 10% taking up to 82 days and 38% of companies reporting project delays due to recruitment problems, according to the Linux Foundation’s 2024 State of Tech Talent Report.

Alternatively, many companies are now turning to services like HireDevelopers.com to cut costs and speed up the hiring process. With HireDevelopers.com, you can hire Peru-based developers at any price point and in just 24 hours.

You should also consider using coding challenges alongside a traditional interview during the hiring process – if you’re using a pre-vetted talent pool like HireDevelopers.com, this has already been done for you. Coding challenges allow you to assess problem-solving skills and coding expertise in a realistic, real-time environment.

If you need help putting together a job description or conducting a job interview, you can check out our helpful and comprehensive guides below. Alternatively, to cut your time-to-hire by 90% and unlock savings of up to 80%, get in touch and book your free HireDevelopers.com consultation today.

Why hire Peruvian developers with HireDevelopers?

Hiring the right Peruvian developer for your team is a huge undertaking, and the process can be intimidating, especially for startups and small businesses.

At HireDevelopers.com, our pre-vetted, global tech talent marketplace streamlines your hiring journey and cuts time-to-hire by over 90% without compromising on quality or stretching your budget. Receive a custom shortlist of top developers at any seniority level and at any price point within just 24 hours of your consultation.

Plus, we’ll handle all payroll, legal compliance and HR completely for free, giving you more time to start building with your new Peru-based dev.

Get in touch today and start hiring top-notch Peruvian developers in just 24 hours with HireDevelopers.com