The salary you can get as a junior developer in Brazil is promising. If you are yet to be or already a junior developer in Brazil, knowing the salary you might get is important to help you have a better financial standing.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the salary for a junior developer in Brazil, starting from the average number to tips on how to negotiate during your interviews.
What is the Average Salary of a Junior Developer in Brazil?
According to Glassdoor, the average monthly salary for a junior developer in Brazil ranges from R$3,000 to R$6,000 per month.
The numbers could be lower or higher, depending on various factors such as company type, experience, location, contract type, and your skill set.
On average, junior developers in Brazil earn around R$4,000 per month, including bonuses. An intern or trainee, on the other hand, usually earns around R$2,000 – R$2,800 per month.
A junior developer who works a remote job, works at startups, or for international clients, could potentially earn much higher.
However, even though the base salary you got is important, you also have to pay attention to the benefits you can get, such as:
- Training stipends
- Health insurance
- Flexible working hours
- Option to work remotely or hybrid environment
- Annual bonuses
Junior Developer Salary Brazil by Region or City
Keep in mind that the salary range junior developers get in Brazil can be different depending on the region or the city where you work.
Below is a breakdown of the average salary range of junior developers in Brazil by city, according to data compiled by Glassdoor.
| City | Average Salary Range (R$) |
| São Paulo | 4,000 – 6,000 |
| Rio de Janeiro | 3,000 – 6,000 |
| Other large hubs (Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Porto Alegre) | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Smaller cities (Recife, Salvador, Fortaleza) | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Remote (international companies) | 5,000 – 7,000 |
Salaries in major cities such as São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, which have a lot of tech hubs, usually offer higher salaries compared to smaller cities.
Aside from the presence of tech hubs, the higher cost of living and multinational companies also play a factor that contributes to a bigger salary range for the role of junior developer in Brazil.
However, looking for remote opportunities can be a good idea for junior developers who live in smaller cities in Brazil to earn a similar salary to those who work in major cities such as São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.
Junior Developer Salary Brazil based on Tech Stack
The salary you can get also depends on the programming language or tech stack you specialize in.
According to an industry survey conducted by Programathor and Payscale, below are the junior developer salary Brazil based on the tech stack.
| Tech Stack | Average Salary Range (R$) per Month |
|---|---|
| JavaScript (React, Node.js) | 3,800 – 4,500 |
| Python (Django, Flask) | 3,500 – 4,200 |
| Java (Spring, Android) | 3,800 – 4,500 |
| PHP (Laravel) | 3,200 – 4,000 |
| Mobile (React Native, Flutter) | 3,800 – 4,800 |
| Front-End (HTML/CSS + JS) | 3,000 – 4,000 |
Some programming languages, such as JavaScript and Python, are mostly in demand, which usually gives you a higher salary compared to other tech stacks.
If you are starting to be junior developer in Brazil, try to focus on widely used languages.
These languages usually have strong communities where you can learn with other developers to deepen your knowledge and widen your network.
Not only that, there are a lot of beginner-friendly resources for these two languages so you can learn effectively.
Common Job Types or Contracts for Junior Developers in Brazil
Aside from salary, you also need to know about the common job types or contracts you can get as a junior developer in Brazil.
Usually, tech professionals in Brazil are hired under two types of contracts, such as:
Formal employment
The primary legislation that regulates formal employment in Brazil is called CLT or Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho (Consolidation of Labor Laws).
If you are formally employed as a junior developer in Brazil, there are several perks you can get, such as fixed salary with benefits.
You can also get 13th salary, vacation pay, and employment funds if working under the formal employment or CLT.
On average, according to Revelo, a junior developer in Brazil who works under formal employment earns around R$3,500 – R$4,200 monthly.
Freelance contractor
On the other hand, you can also work as a junior developer in Brazil as a freelance contractor which usually called Pessoa Jurídica (PJ).
A junior developer that works as a freelance contractor in Brazil also have its own perk, that is higher gross salary.
Not to mention, this type of employment is widely offered in startups, remote jobs, and freelance works.
Based on the data from Revelo, a junior developer in Brazil who works as PJ can earn a salary around R$5,000 – R$6,500 monthly.
Which one is better?
If you are a junior developer in Brazil, CLT might be more attractive because it offers stability and benefits.
However, if you are confident in managing your taxes and want to earn more, working as a freelance contractor or PJ might be worth exploring for your career.
How to Negotiate Salary as a Junior Developer in Brazil
As a junior developer in Brazil, you also need to learn how to negotiate your salary, especially during your interview.
Here are some tips to help you achieve a successful negotiation.
- Research salary benchmarks on the internet through trusted website such as Gini Talent and Glassdoor
- Showcase your portfolio, be it personal projects, freelance work, bootcamp assignments, or GitHub repos
- Highlight your hard and soft skills and tailor it to the job you apply for
- Ask the compensation package for the role you applied for, including benefits and growth opportunities
Reminder that recruiters appreciate the candidate’s confidence but also value humility and willingness to learn.
Conclusion
Starting your career as a junior developer in Brazil is exciting and offers many opportunities in the future, especially in terms of salary.
Thus, knowing your market value is a crucial first step so you can earn a good salary.
Remember that the salary you get also depends on the location where you work, the programming language you mastered, and the skills you have.
What is the average salary of a junior developer in São Paulo?
Around R$4,200/month, depending on the company type and the programming language you mastered.
Is it better to work as a CLT or a PJ for a junior developer in Brazil?
CLT offers more security and benefits. However, PJ may offer you a higher salary, though with additional responsibilities such as taxes.
Which programming language pays the most for a junior developer in Brazil?
Currently, JavaScript, Python, and mobile development stacks (Flutter/React Native, etc.) offer the highest-paying salaries for entry-level roles.
Interested in being a junior developer in Brazil? Click the link below to get the career you want!
