Complete guide

How to find software developers in Austin

Austin
February 22, 2023
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Austin is a large city located in the state of Texas in the United States. It is the capital of Texas and is known for its vibrant music and cultural scene. Austin is home to many tech companies, such as Dell and IBM, and is a hub for the burgeoning tech scene. It is also known for its many outdoor activities, from swimming in the nearby rivers and lakes to exploring the many parks and trails. Austin is a great place to live and work, and it offers something for everyone. Austin is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Austin are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Austin you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Austin, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Austin is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Austin

Austin is a major hub for tech talent, with a growing population of experienced professionals and entrepreneurs. It has the highest concentration of tech talent in the United States, and is quickly becoming a top destination for tech companies. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Austin has the highest concentration of tech jobs in the US, with over 72,000 jobs in the tech sector. The city also boasts the second highest median tech salary in the US, at $93,800 per year. The city is also home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world, including Dell, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, creating a large pool of experienced professionals. Austin is also a popular destination for startups, with a number of incubators and accelerators to help new companies get off the ground.

The tech ecosystem in Austin

The tech ecosystem in Austin is vibrant and growing. It is home to startups, investors, incubators, accelerators, and established tech companies. The city is often referred to as the ‘Silicon Hills’ due to its strong tech scene, and many large tech companies such as Apple, Google, and Dell have offices in the city. The city is also home to the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, which brings together tech innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world. Austin is also home to a number of venture capital firms and angel investors, providing financial support to startups. Finally, there are a number of coworking spaces, coding bootcamps, meetups, and hackathons that help to foster innovation and collaboration in the tech sector.

Best tech meetups in Austin

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. ATX Hackers
2. Austin PHP
3. Austin on Rails
4. Austin JavaScript
5. Austin Web Devs
6. iOS Meetup
7. Austin Virtual Reality
8. Austin Women in Technology
9. Austin Designers and Developers
10. Austin Startup Crawl

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Austin

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Utilize local job boards and online job search platforms such as Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn.

2. Attend local tech conferences, hackathons, and meetups to connect with developers.

3. Leverage social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to source talent.

4. Use recruiting agencies that specialize in software development.

5. Contact local universities for referrals.

6. Post project-based projects on freelance job sites such as Upwork or Freelancer.

7. Partner with a local coding school to identify talented developers.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Austin is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Austin

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Indeed
2. LinkedIn
3. Glassdoor
4. Austin Chamber of Commerce
5. Austin Job Forum
6. Austin Job Fair
7. Craigslist
8. Austin Jobs Bank
9. ZipRecruiter
10. Monster

Best remote job boards to find developers in Austin

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. FlexJobs
2. We Work Remotely
3. Remote OK
4. Freelancer
5. Upwork
6. Proven
7. AngelList
8. LinkedIn
9. Indeed
10. Craigslist

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Austin

The average salary for a junior developer in Austin is $80,948. This salary is based off of the median salary for junior developers in the area, which is composed of entry-level programmers, web developers, and software engineers who are just starting out in their careers. The salary range for junior developers in Austin is typically between $60,000 and $100,000, depending on the company they are working for, their level of experience, and the specific type of programming they do.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Austin

The average salary for a senior developer in Austin, Texas is $103,772 per year. This salary can vary depending on experience and the type of industry the developer works in. Senior developers typically have more experience and are more proficient in coding languages, software development and debugging. They may also have a more in-depth understanding of the software development process, including architecture, security and system design. Some senior developers may also have experience in web development, database design and application development.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Austin. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Austin. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Austin.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a useful tool for businesses in Austin, Texas to outsource their payroll, taxes, and other administrative tasks. An EOR helps businesses streamline their operations, save time and money, and reduce the risk of compliance issues. Here’s how to use an EOR in Austin:

1. Choose an EOR: When selecting an EOR, consider the services they offer and their experience in the Austin market. Make sure to ask about their compliance processes and what type of support they provide.

2. Contract: Once you’ve chosen an EOR, you’ll need to sign a contract. This document will spell out the services they’ll provide and the fees they’ll charge.

3. Set Up Your Employees: Your EOR will handle most of the paperwork associated with hiring and onboarding your employees. They’ll also help with payroll, tax filing, and other administrative tasks.

4. Monitor Performance: It’s important to keep an eye on your EOR’s performance. You should review their invoices and ask for regular reports on their work.

By using an EOR in Austin, you can save time and money and reduce the risk of compliance issues. With the right EOR in place, you can focus on your business and leave the administrative tasks to the professionals.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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