A PHP developer builds and maintains web applications in PHP, most often with Laravel, Symfony or WordPress. Much of the web still runs on PHP, and a good PHP developer can both ship new features and modernize older code safely.
A great PHP 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:
01Build features and APIs in Laravel or Symfony
02Maintain and refactor existing PHP codebases without breaking them
03Design MySQL or PostgreSQL schemas and optimize slow queries
04Upgrade PHP and framework versions on a safe schedule
05Write tests and document the parts of the system nobody remembers
How this hire moves your business forward: Many businesses run on PHP code that is too valuable to rewrite and too risky to ignore. A strong PHP developer keeps it moving forward, so you can ship without a costly rebuild.
Why LatAm
Why LatAm Produces Great PHP Developers.
PHP and Laravel have large, experienced communities across LatAm, especially in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. Many developers have years of agency and product work for US clients.
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 PHP 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
PHP 8
Laravel / Symfony
MySQL / PostgreSQL
REST APIs
Testing with PHPUnit / Pest
Common Tools
Composer
Laravel Forge / Vapor
Redis and queues
Docker
Git and CI/CD
Soft Skills & Traits
Careful with legacy code
Communicates risk before deploying
Organized and documents changes
Practical about rewrites
Reliable on estimates
Compensation
PHP Developer Salary: US vs Latin America.
Based on Sur market data and regional benchmarks. Figures reflect total cash compensation.
Seniority
US Annual
LatAm Annual
You Save
Entry
$72,000
$38,400
$33,600 / yr
Mid level
$100,000
$54,000
$46,000 / yr
Senior
$130,000
$69,600
$60,400 / yr
Spot the right hire
What to Look For, and What to Watch Out For.
Green Flags
Has upgraded a real app across major Laravel or PHP versions
Writes tests for the code they touch
Explains how they would refactor a messy module step by step
Comfortable reading code they did not write
Red Flags
Wants to rewrite everything in a new framework
Only WordPress theme work when you need application development
No experience with queues, caching or performance
Our process
Our Process for This Role.
We do not post and wait. Every PHP 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.
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.
Around $54,000 a year at mid level, compared with about $100,000 in the US. Senior hires run around $69,600.
Yes. Laravel is the most common PHP framework in our searches. We screen for the Laravel version and packages you use.
Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons companies hire one. We look for developers who have upgraded and refactored real production apps, not only built new ones.
If your hire does not work out within the first 90 days for any reason, we replace them at no additional cost.
Ready to Hire a PHP Developer Who Actually Moves the Needle?
Let us design the role together and find you the right person from LatAm.