If you work in tech in Brazil, or are planning to, one of the most important things to know is how much you can expect to earn. After all, passion may fuel your career, but it’s your paycheck that pays for Wi-Fi and snacks.
Whether you’re just getting started or eyeing your next big move, knowing the average IT salaries in Brazil can help. It gives you the confidence to negotiate better offers, plan your career growth, and compare opportunities with clarity.
In this guide, we break down the latest salary trends for IT professionals in Brazil. From entry-level developers to senior engineers, and specialized roles like DevOps or data science, we’ve got the 2025 numbers you’ll want in your back pocket.
Why Knowing Your Market Value Matters
Tech salaries in Brazil have gone through big changes in recent years. Remote work is now common. Global companies are hiring more Brazilians than ever. On top of that, new tools and technology stacks are reshaping what skills are in demand. As a result, pay can vary a lot depending on your location, your experience, and the type of company you work for.
Knowing what others in similar roles are earning isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. This information gives you an edge during salary negotiations. It also helps you check whether your current pay reflects your value and expertise. Even more, it lets you plan for roles, certifications, or skills that could help you grow your income in the future.
National Average: How Much Does a Tech Professional Earn in Brazil?
As of 2025, the national average IT salary in Brazil is approximately R$8,500 per month, which comes out to about R$102,000 per year. These numbers are drawn from aggregated data on platforms like Glassdoor, Gini Talent, and major Brazilian job boards.
Naturally, salary expectations vary with experience. Entry-level typically start around $6,800–$12,000 per year, while mid-level professionals earn between $16,000–$36,000. Senior engineers and specialists can command $40,000–$100,000+, especially in high-demand areas like software engineering and DevOps. These are gross figures and don’t include additional benefits such as stock options, bonuses, or private health plans.
Salary Breakdown by Role
The IT job you choose doesn’t just shape your day, it shapes your paycheck too. A junior software developer, for example, might start at around R$4,500 per month. But with more experience (and probably a few late nights of bug fixing), seniors in the same role can pull in over R$11,000. Frontend and backend developers follow a similar path, though backend folks tend to earn a little more, probably because they keep the whole machine running.
Mobile developers are in the same ballpark, earning between R$4,500 and R$11,000, depending on experience. DevOps engineers start at about R$5,000 monthly but can reach R$12,000 or more, because keeping the pipeline flowing is no small task.
Data scientists? They’re often the high earners on the team. If you’ve got machine learning skills, you can expect a nice salary bump. Senior data scientists can make upwards of R$13,000 each month, because turning data into gold is no joke.
QA testers and IT support specialists usually earn a bit less, but their roles are still vital. A seasoned QA pro might take home around R$9,500, while IT support experts can reach R$7,500. Not bad for keeping everyone else’s tech problems in check, right?
Regional Differences: Where You Work Matters
Where you live in Brazil still plays a role in how much you earn in tech. São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro top the charts with the highest average IT salaries. São Paulo clocks in at around R$9,000 per month. Rio isn’t far behind, offering an average of R$8,200. Other cities like Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Recife, and Curitiba tend to offer slightly lower pay, but the cost of living often drops, too, which helps balance things out.
That said, many companies today are going remote-first. Some now offer flat rates across Brazil, while others adjust pay based on your location. If you’re applying for a remote job, always ask how geography affects the offer. One company might pay the same no matter where you live. Another could tweak your salary depending on whether you’re in São Paulo or somewhere more beachy.
Global vs Local Employers: A Notable Difference
Another big factor is who signs your paycheck. Are you working for a local Brazilian company or a global employer? International companies, especially those hiring remotely, often pay in USD or EUR. That alone can bump your income way up, sometimes even doubling the local market rate. Tempting, right?
But before you celebrate, it’s worth checking the fine print. Global companies don’t always follow local norms. Some may skip over traditional Brazilian benefits like health plans or transport vouchers. Others might expect you to handle your own taxes and insurance. So, always ask the key questions: Is the salary gross or net? Will you need to sort out your own healthcare and tax filings?
A remote job with a global company can be a smart financial move. Just know it often comes with more responsibility, and maybe a few extra spreadsheets.
Beyond the Paycheck: Benefits and Perks
Money matters, but it’s not the whole story. A great salary feels even better when it comes with solid perks. In Brazil, most tech companies sweeten the deal with extras that can make a big difference in your day-to-day life.
Think meal and transportation vouchers (yes, lunch counts as a benefit!), private health insurance, and the ever-popular flexible work setup. Some companies even throw in a home office stipend, which makes buying that fancy ergonomic chair feel a little less guilty.
There’s also the 13th salary, a mandatory year-end bonus that’s basically Brazil’s way of saying “congrats, you survived the year!” And let’s not forget performance-based profit sharing or, in some cases, stock options if you’re working with international firms.
So, when you’re reviewing a job offer, don’t just look at the base salary. Take a close look at the full package. Perks and benefits often add up to more than you think, and they can seriously boost how supported and valued you feel at work.
Making This Information Work for You
Now that you’ve got a clearer picture of IT salaries in Brazil, it’s time to put that knowledge to work. Whether you’re job hunting, planning a career pivot, or just curious about your market value, having the right numbers helps you make smarter decisions.
Before you apply for a new role, or say yes to an offer, take time to research. Check current salary ranges. Talk to people in similar roles. Browse recent job posts. And don’t be shy about asking for what you’re worth. Confidence counts, especially when backed by data.
That said, be realistic. Salaries can vary by company, region, role, and even team size. But knowing your worth gives you power in the conversation. It helps you ask better questions, negotiate fairly, and recognize when a deal isn’t as shiny as it looks.
At the end of the day, your value isn’t just about what you code, design, test, or support. It’s also about the mindset you bring, the problems you solve, and the way you contribute to a team. Knowing that, and being able to talk about it, is one of the best tools you can carry into your next big move.
