When you want to hire AI engineers, choosing the right location can make all the difference. Latin America has become a hub for AI talent, with cities like Medellin and Buenos Aires, emerging as top choices.
Both cities offer skilled professionals, competitive costs, and thriving tech ecosystems, but each has unique advantages. In this blog, we'll compare Medellin and Buenos Aires across key factors to help you determine the best location to hire AI engineers for your team.
Find out more about the top 5 benefits of DevOps outsourcing in Latin America.
Hire AI Engineers in Medellin vs Buenos Aires
Medellin and Buenos Aires have established themselves as two of the most important technology centers in Latin America, and both cities offer competitive advantages. In the following chart, we compare these two destinations based on five key factors: cost, time zone alignment, English proficiency, technological growth, and educational infrastructure.
To make an informed decision, it is key to analyze five key aspects: cost, time zone alignment, English proficiency, technology growth, and educational infrastructure. Below, we will explore each of these factors and how they influence the hiring of AI engineers in these two cities.
Cost Considerations
When you hire AI engineers, cost is one of the most critical factors to consider. Both cities offer highly skilled professionals at competitive rates compared to North America. Below we compare the cost considerations for hiring AI engineers in Medellin and Buenos Aires.
Medellin: Budget is always a crucial factor. In Medellin, salaries for mid-level AI Engineers typically range from $2,500 to $4,000 per month.
Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires offers a slight cost advantage, with average salaries between $2,250 and $3,000 per month for similar roles.
Time Zone Alignment
Time zone differences can affect collaboration, especially for teams working remotely. Choosing a location that aligns well with your work schedule can improve efficiency and reduce delays.
Medellin: Medellin follows U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST) for most of the year, which means no time difference with Miami and a three-hour time difference with San Francisco (PST). It is an excellent choice for East Coast companies while maintaining reasonable overlap with West Coast teams.
Buenos Aires: Operates two hours ahead of EST during U.S. Standard Time and one hour ahead during Daylight Saving Time (EDT). For companies on the West Coast (San Francisco, PST), Buenos Aires is five hours ahead during Standard Time and four hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time.
Learn more about nearshore staff augmentation: Scale your team with agility.
English Proficiency
Effective communication is critical when looking to hire AI engineers. Both Medellin and Buenos Aires have a growing number of professionals who are fluent in English, but there are notable differences in overall levels of proficiency.
Medellin: Colombia ranks 74th out of 116 countries on the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), with an overall score of 485. Medellin is slightly above the national average with a score of 509, but still lags behind many other Latin American technology centres. Within Latin America, Colombia ranks 17th out of 21 countries.
Buenos Aires: Argentina, on the other hand, ranks 28th in the world for English proficiency, with an EF EPI score of 562. Buenos Aires outperforms the national average with a score of 566, making it one of the best cities in the region for English-speaking professionals. Argentina ranks second in Latin America, meaning that hiring AI engineers in Buenos Aires could result in smoother communication and fewer language barriers.
Technological growth
Medellin and Buenos Aires have become two of the most important technology hubs in Latin America, attracting talent, investment and innovative companies. Both cities have ecosystems that are driving the development of digital industries and artificial intelligence.
Medellin: The city has established itself as the third largest and fastest growing tech talent hub in Latin America, with more than 100,000 highly skilled engineers. Andrew Ng, founder of Google Brain, chose Medellin to open a second office for his AI projects. His initiatives aim to promote the adoption of AI in business and technology education. Ng evaluated several cities in Europe, Asia and Latin America before choosing Medellin, highlighting its growing startup ecosystem supported by incubators such as Ruta N.
Buenos Aires: More than 500 startups have been identified in Argentina, more than half of which are located in Buenos Aires. As of September 2024, the capital and its metropolitan area were home to 345 startups.
Argentina's digital economy has been growing steadily, driven by a tech-savvy population and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, especially in Buenos Aires, which is often considered the Silicon Valley of South America. As a result, twelve Argentine technology companies have achieved unicorn status.
Learn more about the top 10 outsourcing cities in Latin America.
Educational Infrastructure
A strong educational foundation directly influences the quality of AI talent available in a city. Both Medellin and Buenos Aires have reputable universities that produce qualified engineers, but there are differences in their rankings and areas of interest.
Medellin: Medellin is home to prestigious institutions such as University of Antioquia, ranked 791-800, and University EAFIT, ranked 901-950, both known for their engineering and computer science programs.
Universidad de Antioquia is one of the oldest and most respected public universities in Colombia and remains one of the top institutions in the country. University EAFIT, a private institution, is known for its strong focus on technology, artificial intelligence and business.
Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires is home to some of the most prestigious universities in Latin America. The University of Buenos Aires (UBA), ranked 71st with an overall score of 67.6, is among the best in the region and is internationally recognized for its excellence in science and engineering.
Many of Argentina's leading AI engineers and data scientists have studied at UBA, benefiting from its rigorous academic background. In addition, the National University of La Plata (UNLP), ranked 534th with a score of 23, is another highly regarded institution with strong programs in computer science and artificial intelligence.
Transparent Pricing with Teilur Talent
At Teilur Talent, we believe in a transparent pricing model that ensures you know exactly what you are paying for. Unlike traditional recruitment agencies that charge hidden fees or excessive margins, our approach keeps things simple and fair. We never charge more than 20% commission, so you can hire the best AI engineers in Medellin or Buenos Aires at competitive market rates without overpaying.
With our pre-screened AI engineers, you get access to top talent that meets your technical and cultural needs. We handle the recruiting, screening, and matching, so you can focus on growing your team efficiently. Our no-surprises pricing structure means you hire AI engineers at a fair cost, so you can easily budget and confidently grow your AI capabilities.
Learn more about remote hiring: The Importance of Transparency for Developers and Clients.
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire AI engineers?
Salaries vary by location and experience. In Medellin, mid-level AI front-end developers earn between $2,500 and $4,000 per month. In Buenos Aires, the range is $2,250 to $3,000 per month.
Where can I hire AI engineers?
You can hire AI engineers in tech hubs like Medellin and Buenos Aires, as well as through online platforms and recruitment agencies specializing in tech talent.
How to hire AI engineers?
Start by defining your project requirements, then search for candidates through job boards, professional networks, or recruitment agencies. Conduct thorough interviews and technical assessments to ensure a good fit.
Can AI engineers work from home?
Yes, many AI engineers work remotely. Remote work can provide access to a broader talent pool and offer flexibility for both employers and employees.
Conclusion
Choosing between Medellin and Buenos Aires to hire AI engineers depends on your priorities. If you're looking for cost-effective talent with strong industry connections, Medellin offers a growing tech ecosystem, competitive salaries, and a growing pool of AI professionals. On the other hand, if English proficiency and top university rankings are more important to your team, Buenos Aires stands out for its highly skilled workforce and strong academic background in AI and software development.
To help you make the best decision, use the calculator below to estimate your costs and potential savings. For more details and personalized advice, please contact us.
