How To Hire in Chile: Complete Guide

Remote work is booming, and Chile is becoming a top spot for companies expanding their virtual teams—especially in tech. Are you thinking about hiring remote talent in Chile? Here’s what you need to know: key hiring considerations, high-demand roles, salary benchmarks, and expert tips to attract and retain the best professionals.

How to Hire Remote Talent in Chile

Hiring in Chile? You’ve got options—but each comes with its own legal considerations. Here are three effective ways to bring Chilean talent onto your team:

1. Contractor

Independent contractors offer flexibility and cost savings—but misclassification risks can be a headache. Lupa makes it simple. We handle compliance and hiring, so you don’t have to.

• Recruiting: We find and vet top candidates. You make the hire and manage payroll. It's best when you want full control with expert backup.
• RPO: We run your entire recruiting process for a fixed monthly fee—sourcing, vetting, and hiring are all covered. Scale fast without extra overhead.

2. Staffing

Partnering with a specialized staffing agency in Latin America streamlines the recruitment process, background checks, procurement, and administrative tasks as a vital link between your company and top local talent.

Our staffing service handles everything from recruiting top candidates to managing employment, payroll, and compliance so you can focus on growing your business.

3. EOR (Employer of Record)

This entity is the official employer for your remote hires in Chile, managing all legal, tax, and HR responsibilities on your behalf. It allows you to hire top Chilean talent without establishing a legal entity in the country.

Remote Roles to Hire in Chile

When hiring remote talent in Chile, certain roles are especially well-suited for full-time or part-time remote work, including:

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Benefits of Hiring Talent from Chile

• Skilled Workforce: Chile’s strong education system produces highly qualified professionals, particularly in technology, engineering, and finance, making it a hub for top-tier talent.
• Cost-Effectiveness: With a lower cost of living than in many developed Western countries, businesses can hire exceptional talent at competitive rates without compromising quality.
• Favorable Time Zone: Chile’s time zone aligns closely with North American business hours, ensuring smooth collaboration and real-time communication with your remote team.

Hiring Chilean talent means securing skilled, reliable professionals while optimizing costs and avoiding unnecessary complexities.

Labor Costs in Chile vs. USA

When hiring remote workers or contractors in Chile, U.S. companies can achieve significant cost savings while gaining workforce flexibility—enhancing operations, and driving business growth. Below is a comparison of annual average remuneration for key remote roles in Chile versus the United States:

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How to Pay Talent in Chile

Paying remote employees in Chile as a U.S. company requires navigating exchange rates, Chile’s banking system, and legal compliance. Here are the most effective payment options:

Bank transfers

A direct and reliable method for personal bank accounts, but it often comes with high fees and slow processing times.

PayPal

Fast and secure international transactions, though it has relatively high fees and less favorable exchange rates.

Payoneer

A widely used financial platform for freelancer and contractor payments, offering online money transfers with lower fees.

Global payroll providers

Services like Deel, Ontop, and Oyster streamline payroll, ensuring compliance, lower fees, and competitive exchange rates.

Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin and Ethereum offer decentralization and potentially lower fees, but volatility and regulatory concerns make them a less stable option.

Wise

A cost-effective alternative to traditional banks, providing international transfers with real exchange rates and lower fees.

Hiring Remote Trends in Chile 2025

• Santiago, Chile’s capital, ranks third in South America for digital talent availability. As of 2020, job opportunities in Chile’s IT sector have expanded significantly, with nearly 61,000 professionals employed—a strong indicator of the country’s vibrant job market, especially in tech-driven roles.
• Additionally, there is a growing trend toward skill-based hiring in Chile. Employers prioritize practical skills, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities over traditional qualifications, aligning with global hiring trends and emphasizing real-world expertise.

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Talent Hubs in Chile

To hire top talent in Chile, it's essential to focus on cities that are leading in innovation across different industries. Here are the key talent hubs:

• Santiago: Chile’s tech and business capital, home to startups and multinational companies specializing in software development, fintech, and biotech. It also hosts the country’s most prestigious universities, fueling a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.
• Valparaíso: A major shipping and logistics hub essential for international trade. Strong in software development, IT, digital marketing, e-commerce, and fintech, supported by top universities that drive innovation.
• Concepción: A manufacturing powerhouse specializing in forestry, steel, and food processing. It’s also emerging as a tech hub for startups and businesses in software development, IT, e-commerce, digital marketing, and cybersecurity.
• Antofagasta: The mining and tech capital of Chile, with a growing emphasis on software development, IT services, IoT, and automation. This city leads in mining technology and industrial innovation.
• Viña del Mar: Famous for its tourism, festivals, and cultural scene, Viña del Mar is also evolving as a tech and business hub, attracting startups and digital service innovators in software development.

Labor Laws or Employment Laws in Chile

Chile has robust labor laws that safeguard workers' rights. If you're hiring employees in Chile, compliance with the following regulations is essential:

Salary Payment

New employees’ salaries are determined by employment terms and collective agreements paid at each month's end.

Minimum Wage

Currently, the minimum wage in Chile is approximately USD 530 per month, but offering above-market salaries is recommended to attract top talent.

Holidays

Chile observes 15 national holidays, including Labor Day and Independence Day, which should be respected for employee satisfaction.

Overtime Pay

Employees working over 45 hours per week are entitled to overtime compensation.

Vacation Rights

After 12 months, employees receive 15 consecutive days of paid vacation.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to 15 paid days of annual leave after 12 months of work. This entitlement ensures that employees have sufficient rest and work-life balance.

Christmas Bonus

Many employers provide a bonus equivalent to one month’s salary, typically paid in December.

Social Security Benefits

The social security contributions system in Chile includes health insurance, retirement by age, pension contributions, sick leave, severance pay, as well as maternity leave and paternity leave.

Probation Period

Employers may establish a probation period in employment contracts for mutual assessment before full employment.

Notice Period and Mutual Agreement

Terminations require a notice period unless both parties agree to an earlier end date.

Holidays in Chile 2025

To foster cultural respect and inclusivity, it's essential to recognize Chile's 15 national holidays, which employees are legally entitled to observe:

• January 1: New Year’s Day
• April 18: Good Friday (Date varies)
• April 19: Holy Saturday (Date varies)
• May 1: Labor Day
• May 21: Naval Glories Day
• June 21: National Day of the Indigenous Peoples
• July 16: The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• August 15: Feast of Assumption
• September 18: Independence Day
• September 19: Day of the Glories of the Army
• October 12: Day of the Races
• October 31: National Day of the Evangelical and Protestant Churches
• November 1: All Saints' Day
• December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• December 25: Christmas

By recognizing these holidays, you foster an inclusive and respectful work environment while ensuring legal compliance and employee satisfaction.

Characteristics of Chilean Talent

Remote Employment Growth

Sectors like finance, insurance, management, business services, and IT thrive in remote work due to high demand and digital workflows.

Exceptional Education Levels

In 2023, 28.5% of Chilean students pursued tech-related careers, growing to 7.1% annually. The University of Chile plays a key role in developing top professionals.

Top Cities Proficient in English

While English proficiency in Chile is moderate, cities like Concepción, Viña del Mar, and Valparaíso have the highest concentrations of English-speaking professionals.

Cultural Considerations of Chilean Professionals

Chilean professionals prioritize relationship-building and trust, making networking essential for business success. Personal connections are valued before engaging in major deals.

Additionally, Chileans are increasingly globally minded, seeking international collaboration and embracing diverse perspectives, enriching their contributions to global teams.

Start Hiring Remote Chilean Talent with Lupa Today

Expanding your team with Chilean talent can enhance your Latin American operations, but cultural expertise is key to a smooth hiring process. Lupa specializes in helping U.S. companies recruit, interview, and onboard top remote talent in Chile—efficiently and risk-free.

Our expert recruiters understand the complexities of hiring remote contractors and navigating South America's talent market. Our automated approach and extensive network connect you with top professionals in tech, finance, marketing, and beyond.

For guidance on compliant hiring in Chile, check out our services (recruiting, staffing, or RPO) or schedule a consultation with our team for personalized support.

FAQs

What is an employer of record (EOR)?

An EOR acts as the legal employer, handling payroll, taxes, and compliance. This allows foreign companies to hire in Chile without setting up a local entity.

What jobs are in demand in Chile?

Tech leads the way—data scientists, software engineers, cloud architects, cybersecurity pros, and AI/ML engineers are in high demand.

Is there a minimum wage in Chile?

Yes. As of January 2025, it’s CLP 510,636 per month (USD 530), with automatic inflation adjustments.

In what currency do companies pay remote workers in Chile?

Employees must be paid in Chilean Pesos (CLP) by law. Contractors can sometimes negotiate payment in USD or other currencies, but official employment contracts require CLP.

Do I need a visa to hire a remote worker in Chile?

No. Chilean citizens and legal residents don’t need a visa to work remotely.

What is the standard workweek in Chile?

Chile is phasing in a shorter workweek, dropping from 45 to 40 hours. As of April 2024, it’s 44 hours, with reductions continuing until 2028. Work schedules usually span 5 or 6 days.

What language is spoken in Chile?

Spanish is the official language, while English is taught but not widely spoken in daily life.

How do you terminate an employee in Chile?

At-will termination isn’t allowed (except for executives). Employers must provide just cause or cite company needs. A 30-day notice (or payment in lieu) is required, plus severance—one month per year of service, capped at 11 months.

What are the legal requirements for hiring remote employees in Chile?

Employers must follow Chilean labor laws:

• Draft a formal employment contract
• Comply with minimum wage laws
• Make social security contributions
• Law No. 21.220 regulates remote work, requiring clear agreements on schedules and responsibilities.

What are the tax implications for foreign companies hiring in Chile?

Employers must withhold income tax and contribute to social security. Tax rates vary based on income. Foreign companies without a local entity must ensure compliance through a local branch or an EOR. To streamline hiring and ensure compliance, businesses can leverage Lupa’s services for fast access to top tech talent, reducing administrative burdens while securing the best professionals.