Start Here
Nobody has published the Caribbean-specific version of a hiring guide. So this is it. Written for US founders, ops leaders, and hiring managers who want strong remote talent without gambling on a hire they can't support.
Accuracy note: Rates change. Figures were checked against published payroll references in 2026 and are for planning only. Confirm with local counsel or a payroll provider. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
01 — The Case
Three practical reasons US teams build across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Jamaica, Colombia, and Peru are on UTC-5 all year with no daylight saving. Costa Rica is UTC-6 all year. Real overlap, no shifting clocks.
Entry level roles from about $7/hr versus roughly $25/hr typical in the US. Over 2,080 hours that's about $37,440 per hire (illustration only).
A fair salary beats the lowest price. Cheap hires who leave cost you re-hiring, retraining, and customer trust.
02 — Pick a Model
The model you pick decides who owns payroll, compliance, and contracts. Get this right before you source.
Agency sources and vets, you hire and manage directly. Best if you have local payroll support.
You own payroll, compliance, and contracts.
The EOR employs them locally and handles payroll, taxes, and HR. Best if you have no local entity.
Ongoing monthly fee.
Person invoices you. Best for short, scoped projects.
Risk: misclassification if they work like an employee.
03 — Stay Compliant
Ask five questions in every country: contract type, payroll taxes, mandatory pay, filing deadlines, data privacy.
Examples to verify: Mexico's aguinaldo, Brazil's 13th salary, Colombia's service and severance payments.
Employer costs add about 12.5%
So J$100,000 gross costs about J$112,500.
04 — Do the Math
The hourly rate is not the cost. Build your budget from every line below.
Ask about bank transfer, Payoneer, or PayPal.
Agree it before day one. No surprises either side.
Revisit at 6 to 12 months to keep good people.
05 — Make It Work
Great hires still fail without good integration. Three areas to get right.
06 — Get Them Started
A realistic timeline from consultation to a fully onboarded hire.
Scope the role, model, and budget.
We find and screen the shortlist.
You meet vetted candidates.
Offer, paperwork, and day one.
Tools, product, introductions, shadowing.
Guided practice with review.
Speed, judgment, first feedback.
Full ownership and a 60 day plan.
Act within 48 hours if
They're struggling with basics by day 10, go quiet, or miss check-ins.
07 — Proof
Two examples of what this looks like in practice.
A DevOps role sat open for months. Filled in under two weeks, and a second hire followed.
Needed support coverage. Three strong candidates sent, the hire performed well, and the next hire is planned.
Jamaica-founded talent firm connecting US companies with vetted professionals across the Caribbean and Latin America. One-time placement fee or managed EOR, with a 30 day replacement guarantee.
maverickdesks.co