Argentina Talent Market Overview
| Market Appeal: | Argentina is a rapidly growing hub for technology and innovation, with a thriving IT market valued at $11 billion and a robust expansion forecast. It’s home to over 120,000 software developers. |
| Most common roles US companies hire in Argentina: | Software Development, Engineering, and Product Management |
| Skill Density: | The talent pool excels in software engineering, cloud computing, AI, ML, and IoT, backed by a strong educational system and a high level of English proficiency |
| Cost Advantage of hiring in Argentina: | Argentina offers substantial cost savings in tech salaries. Full-stack developers, for instance, earn $40,000-60,000 annually, significantly less than the $128,000-150,000 in the U.S. |
| Ease of Hire: | the presence of over 1000+ tech companies and a large talent pool suggest a favorable hiring environment |
| Working Hours Overlap with US time zones: | 1-3 hour difference with the East Coast (EST) and a 4-6 hour difference with the West Coast (PST) |
| Typical Working Week in Argentina | The standard working week is up to 48 hours |
| Public and Local Holidays in Argentina | 18 to 20 national public holidays |
| Most common talnet hiring / engaging methods that US companies use in Argentina | U.S. companies typically use contracting, staff augmentation, and employment through Employer of Record (EOR) providers |
| Most common payment methods that US companies use to pay talent in Argentina | #1 SWIFT #2 PayPal #3 Wise #4 Payoneer |
| Cultural Compatibility with US companies | Argentina is known for its cultural compatibility with U.S. companies |
| English level by EF EPI score in Argentina: | Argentina ranks high in English proficiency, being #1 in Latin America and 28th globally |
| Average Retention Rates in Argentina: | 2-3 years |
| Global brands that hire in Argentina: | Major global tech companies like Microsoft, Dell, Amazon, and Meta have established offices in Buenos Aires, |
| Talent Market Capacity | The talent market boasts over 260,000 tech professionals, including 120,000 software developers. |
| Employee tax: | from 5% to 35% |
Read More: Work Hours, Software Developers and Employer of Record
Argentina Tech Ecosystem
International Companies with Offices in Argentina:
Tech Giants: Google, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco Systems, Oracle, HP, Intel, Dell
Social Media & Entertainment: Facebook, Netflix, Spotify, TikTok (ByteDance)
E-commerce & Fintech: MercadoLibre (Regional HQ), eBay, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Stripe
Cloud & Software: Salesforce, VMware, Autodesk, Adobe, SAP, Siemens
Consultancy & Services: Accenture, Infosys, NTT Data, Cognizant, Workday, ServiceNow
Local Standouts:
Unicorns: MercadoLibre (also a regional giant), Globant, OLX Group, Auth0, Ualá, Despegar.com
Rising Stars: Satellogic, VU Security, Tienda Nube (Nuvem Shop)
Argentinian Incubators: NXTP Labs, Wayra, IncuBAte, Grid Exponential, Accelerar, ARCAP
Argentinian VCs: Kaszek Ventures, NXTP Ventures, Wayra, Jaguar Ventures, Draper Cygnus
Argentina Infrastructure:
Internet Connectivity: Argentina boasts a robust internet infrastructure, with around 85% of the population having access to the internet, one of the highest in Latin America.
Mobile Penetration: High mobile phone penetration, similar to Brazil. The number of mobile connections exceeds the total population, indicating a deeply connected society.
Argentina Tech Talent Market Capacity
Argentina Salary Insights
Common Leave in Argentina
Paid annual leave: 14-28 days
Paid paternity leave: Argentina provides two days of paid paternity leave
Sick leave: Employers cover the first 15 days of paid sick leave.
Bereavement leave: 3 days
Common Benefits in Argentina
Meal Vouchers
Health Insurance
Pension or 401(K)
Life and Disability Insurance
Paternity Leave
Mental Health Support
Flexible/Remote Work
Maternity Leave
Holiday schedule in Argentina 2024
- Monday, January 1, 2024New Year’s Day
- Monday, February 12, 2024Carnival Monday
- Tuesday, February 13, 2024Carnival Tuesday
- Sunday, March 24, 2024Good Friday
- Wednesday, March 6, 2024Pernambuco revolution
- Friday, March 29, 2024Good Friday
- Tuesday, April 2, 2024Malvinas Day
- Wednesday, May 1, 2024Labor Day / May Day
- Saturday, May 25, 2024Revolution Day
- Monday, June 17, 2024Martín Miguel de Güemes’ Day
- Thursday, June 20, 2024Flag Day
- Tuesday, July 9, 2024Independence Day
- Monday, August 19, 2024Death of San Martin
- Monday, October 14, 2024Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity
- Monday, November 18, 2024National Sovereignty Day
- Sunday, December 8, 2024Immaculate Conception
- Thursday, January 25, 2024Christmas Day
Payments
When it comes to paying your talent in Argentina, you have several options at your disposal. The most commonly used methods are Payoneer, PayPal, and Wise. Additionally, some US companies may opt for payroll providers or payment aggregators. In the realm of cryptocurrencies, Argentina sees Bitcoin as a prominent player, followed by Ethereum, with exchanges like Bitso and Buenbit operating in the country.
Payment Frequency: In Argentina, companies typically offer two different pay frequencies: monthly or bimonthly. The choice between these options often depends on the specific company and the applicable collective bargaining agreement
Read more: Payroll Taxes
Talent Acquisition
Job Search Platforms: Argentina utilizes globally recognized job search websites, such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed. Additionally, local platforms like ZonaJobs, Bumeran, and Computrabajo are widely used for talent sourcing.
Talent Acquisition: Reputable organizations like GoGloby.io excel in talent acquisition within the Latin American market. They provide recruitment services and maintain a talent marketplace with verified professionals in fields like technology, marketing, and product management.
Interview Behavior: Argentine interviews prioritize friendliness and expressiveness. Punctuality is crucial, although time perception can be more relaxed than in some cultures. Building rapport and fostering a positive atmosphere are highly valued.
Negotiation: Similar to Brazil, salary negotiations are standard during the hiring process in Argentina. Candidates typically discuss their compensation package and benefits in the later stages of interviews, emphasizing the importance of negotiation skills in securing top talent.
Probation Period: While Argentina lacks a standardized probation period, organizations like GoGloby may offer a 90-day probation period for acquired talent. This allows both the employer and the employee to assess fit and performance before committing long-term.
Working Culture in Argentina
Cultural Compatibility: Argentina is a favorable outsourcing location, aligning well with U.S. companies’ needs.
Relationships Matter: Argentina prioritizes personal relationships before business, differing from the U.S.
Time & Punctuality: Argentina has a more relaxed view of time, contrasting U.S. punctuality norms.
Hierarchy & Decision-Making: Argentine companies often favor top-down structures, unlike flatter U.S. orgs.
Workplace Camaraderie: Expect regular team celebrations, fostering strong team spirit.
Employment Termination
Termination Process:
Employers in Argentina must provide written notice for employee termination, citing reasons such as misconduct, economic factors, or performance issues. Once stated, the reason cannot be altered, emphasizing the importance of accuracy.
Notice Period:
The notice period for termination depends on the employee’s tenure:
- Probationary period: 15 days of notice.
- Less than five years of service: One month of notice.
- More than five years of service: Two months of notice.
- Employers can opt to pay the equivalent of the notice period instead.
Read more: Employee Termination and Severance Pay and Independent Contractors
Severance Pay:
Severance pay varies based on employee tenure and dismissal conditions. It includes seniority compensation, compensation for prior notice, compensation for remaining days in the month, unused vacation time, proportional compensation for the 13th-month salary
Further reading: Employee Benefits, Employee Leave Policies and Hiring Remote Employees
Frequently Asked Questions
Argentine tech talent, particularly in software development, AI, and data analytics, is highly skilled and comparable to U.S. standards. The country has a strong pool of tech professionals with a global mindset and experience.
Common employment models in Argentina include contracts, temporary employment, and employment via EOR providers. Each has its own legal and operational considerations, with standard employment contracts being the most common.
Argentine professionals often integrate well with U.S. company culture. They value personal relationships and bring a balanced professional approach to the workplace, making them compatible with U.S. work culture.
Preferred payment methods in Argentina include Payoneer, PayPal, and Wise, with payments typically in USD.
PEOs and EORs simplify hiring in Argentina by managing HR tasks, including staffing and payroll. While PEOs require a legal entity in Argentina, EORs can hire on behalf of companies without local entities, making the recruitment and compliance process more straightforward.
