A BI developer creates, maintains, and optimizes systems, databases, and visualization tools to transform raw data into actionable business insights
A great Business Intelligence (BI) Developer does not just complete tasks. They own a function that directly frees you to grow. Here is what that looks like in a scaling business:
01Design and build semantic data models for BI consumption
02Develop complex SQL queries and optimize for performance
03Build and maintain BI platform infrastructure and governance
04Create calculated fields, metrics, and KPI logic in the BI tool
05Collaborate with analysts and data engineers on data architecture
How this hire moves your business forward: A BI developer ensures your analytics infrastructure can scale with your data. When dashboards load instantly and data models are clean and reliable, your entire analytics team is more productive.
Why LatAm
Why LatAm Produces Great Business Intelligence (BI) Developers.
LatAm BI developers combine deep SQL expertise with BI platform engineering skills. Many have worked on enterprise BI environments supporting hundreds of users and complex data models.
The timezone overlap with the US is strong. LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time, so there is no async lag, no late-night handoffs, and no communication gap.
Skills & tools
Know What a Great Business Intelligence (BI) Developer Actually Brings to the Table.
Beyond the resume, here are the skills, tools, and traits that separate strong performers from strong interviewers.
Hard Skills
Data modeling for BI (semantic layer)
Advanced SQL and query optimization
BI platform administration (Tableau Server / Looker / Power BI)
LookML / calculated fields / measures
Data governance
Common Tools
Tableau / Looker / Power BI
SQL / BigQuery / Snowflake
dbt
LookML / DAX / MDX
GitHub
Soft Skills & Traits
Technically precise
Performance-obsessed
Collaborative with analysts and data engineers
Documentation-disciplined
Systematic about governance
Compensation
What You Can Expect to Pay.
Based on Sur market data and regional benchmarks. Figures reflect total cash compensation.
Seniority
US Annual
LatAm Annual
You Save
Entry
$70,000
$27,600
$42,400 / yr
Mid level
$92,000
$36,000
$56,000 / yr
Senior
$120,000
$48,000
$72,000 / yr
Spot the right hire
What to Look For, and What to Watch Out For.
Green Flags
Has built semantic data models that analysts describe as reliable and easy to use
Query performance is optimized - dashboards load in seconds, not minutes
Governance documentation is complete and enforced
Collaborates effectively with both analysts (business side) and data engineers (technical side)
Red Flags
Builds technical models that analysts cannot use without help
Performance issues persist because queries are not optimized
No governance or documentation discipline
Our process
Our Process for This Role.
We do not post and wait. Every Business Intelligence (BI) Developer search we run is built from scratch around your business, your stage, your team, and your goals. And at every step, we are thinking about how this hire helps you grow.
1
Onboarding Call
We start by understanding what you actually need.
2
Role Scoping and Assessment Design
We build a precise role profile and design the custom skills assessment before we search for anyone.
3
Sourcing
We source actively across LatAm and the Caribbean and through our network.
4
Prescreening and Phone Screen
Every candidate is internally screened then put through an English phone screen.
5
Your Shortlist
3 to 5 candidates delivered early in the process with background, audio clip, and our team's recommendation.
6
Skills Assessment
Shortlisted candidates take a custom assessment built to replicate the actual work of the role.
7
Hire and Guarantee
We support the offer, help structure compensation for retention, and back every placement with a 90-day guarantee.
Common Questions About Hiring a Business Intelligence (BI) Developer.
3-4 weeks typically. Most placements are made within 21 days of the onboarding call.
Most LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time.
All Sur placements speak fluent English. We screen for language ability on every search. Moderate English acceptable depending on exposure.
A LatAm BI developer delivers the same technical data modeling and platform engineering capability as a US hire at 35-45% of the cost.
If your hire does not work out within the first 90 days for any reason, we replace them at no additional cost.
A BI developer builds the platform. A BI analyst uses it to answer business questions. At small scale, a BI analyst with strong SQL can cover both. As data complexity grows, separating the roles adds value.
Looker for data-first companies with strong engineering. Tableau for large analyst teams. Power BI for Microsoft-heavy environments.
Ready to Hire a Business Intelligence (BI) Developer Who Actually Moves the Needle?
Let us design the role together and find you the right person from LatAm.