According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly pay for a Shell Scripting role in the United States is $60.53 as of May 27, 2025. ZipRecruiter also reports an average of $52.84/hr for Bash Developer positions, with a range from $17.07 to $81.73. PayScale’s data indicates that Shell Scripting Engineers earn an average of $60.10 per hour (based on a $125,000 annual salary), while Glassdoor lists a Shell Script Developer in Boston, MA earning $95,267 annually, approximately $45.82/hr. Understanding current market rates is vital for budgeting and hiring decisions concerning Bash/Shell Engineers.

This guide provides a breakdown of Bash/Shell Scripting Developer hourly rates by experience, source comparison, geography, and engagement model, highlighting why Latin America can offer competitive value for U.S. based companies.

1. Bash/Shell Scripting Developer Hourly Rates Based on Experience

Experience level significantly influences hourly rates. While specific Bash-focused breakdowns are scarce, Talent.com’s 2025 survey for Shell Scripting Engineers offers a useful proxy:

• Entry-Level (0–1 Year): $103,750/yr – $49.88/hr
• Mid-Level (2–5 Years): $125,000/yr – $60.10/hr
• Senior (6+ Years): $183,000/yr – $88.02/hr

ZipRecruiter’s “Bell Curve” (May 2025) for Shell Scripting roles indicates entry-level professionals earning $35–$50/hr, mid-level earning $55–$75/hr, and senior earning $75–$90/hr. PayScale corroborates that early-career Linux System Administrators with shell scripting skills earn $30–$45/hr, while late-career roles exceed $45–$60/hr, consistent with a $117,447 average salary for Senior Systems Engineers with Shell Scripting skills.

Learn more about Bash/Shell Developers Annual Salaries here.

2. Source Comparison: Bash/Shell Scripting Developer Hourly Rates in the U.S.

Source	Average Hourly (USD)	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
ZipRecruiter (Shell Scripting)	$60.53	$17.07	$81.73
PayScale (Shell Scripting Engineer)	$60.10	$49.88	$88.02
Glassdoor (Shell Script Developer, Boston, MA)	$45.82	–	–
Glassdoor (Unix Shell Scripting)	$46.41	–	–
Zippia (Linux Programmer)	$47.12	–	–

Different platforms collect data differently: ZipRecruiter aggregates employer listings, PayScale relies on self-reported profiles, and Glassdoor often reflects company-specific data. For robust budgeting and benchmarking, reference multiple sources to capture the full spectrum of Bash/Shell Scripting Developer rates.

Find out more by referring to our Bash/ Shell Developer Hiring Guide Here.

3. Geographically Influenced Hourly Rates for Bash/Shell Scripting Developers

Hourly rates vary based on local cost of living, market demand, and economic conditions. Below are representative ranges for 2025 (annual salary ÷ 2,080):

North America

Country	Annual Salary (USD)	Hourly Rate (USD)
United States	$125,000 (Shell Scripting Engineer)	$60.10
Canada	C$77,166 (Linux Sys Admin w/ Shell Skills)	C$37.10 (~$27.83)
Mexico	$— (no direct data)	$25–$35 (est.)

Latin America

Country	General Developer Hourly (USD)	Bash/Shell Scripting (est.)
Brazil	$18.43–$24.94	$18–$25
Argentina	$15–$22 (est.)	$15–$22
Colombia	$12–$20 (est.)	$12–$20

Notes:

• Brazilian general software developers earn $18.43–$24.94/hr; Bash/Shell Scripting specialists typically command similar or slightly higher rates due to niche skill
• Argentine and Colombian rates often scale at 80–90% of Brazil’s, reflecting lower cost of living.

Western Europe

Country	Annual Salary (USD)	Hourly Rate (USD)
United Kingdom	$62,800	$30.19
Germany	$60,900	$29.28
Switzerland	–	–

Eastern Europe

(Data limited; typically 50–70% of Western Europe rates, implying $15–$25/hr.)

Asia & Oceania

Country	Annual Salary (USD)	Hourly Rate (USD)
India	$15,800	$7.60
China	–	$10–$20 (est.)
Australia	$119,500	$57.45
Japan	–	$35–$50 (est.)

Summary: LATAM vs. United States

Role/Level	United States (USD/hr)	Brazil (USD/hr)	Argentina (USD/hr)	Colombia (USD/hr)
Entry (0–1)	$49–$55 (Talent.com)	$18–$22	$15–$20	$12–$18
Mid (2–5)	$55–$75 (ZipRecruiter)	$20–$25	$18–$22	$14–$20
Senior (6+)	$75–$90 (Talent.com)	$22–$28	$20–$25	$16–$22

Compared to U.S. ranges, LATAM rates can be 50–75% lower for equivalent experience, yielding substantial cost savings without sacrificing fundamental skill levels.

4. Engagement Models and Their Impact on Bash/Shell Scripting Developer Hourly Rates

Different hiring models influence effective hourly rates due to overhead, benefits, and administrative costs:

Engagement Model	Typical Hourly Rate (USD)	Notes
In-House (U.S. Salary)	$50–$80	Full-time salaries prorated; includes benefits, taxes, and office costs.
Outsourcing (LATAM)	$20–$40	Agencies or firms; includes overhead fees; still significantly lower than U.S. in-house.
Freelancers	$40–$90	Wide range based on portfolio, specialization, and reputation; higher risk overhead.
Contractors	$35–$75	Contract roles (e.g., 3–6 months) often command mid-high rates; may include minimal benefits.
Remote (Direct Hire)	$45–$70	Similar to in-house but with lower overhead; U.S. remote can still skew higher.

Choosing among these models hinges on budget, project duration, and need for long-term cultural integration. LATAM-based freelancers or outsourced teams typically fall under the $20–$40/hr range, offering a balance of cost savings and quality.

All about writing the ideal job post on the Bash/Shell Developer Job Description Guide here.

5. Comparing Bash/Shell Scripting Developer Rates to Related Roles

Specializations and adjacent disciplines command varying rates. Below are 2025 average hourly rates (U.S.):

Role	Average Hourly Rate (USD)
Bash/Shell Scripting Developer	$50–$60
DevOps Engineer (incl. Scripting)	$60–$80
Linux System Administrator	$45–$60
Python Developer (Automation/Scripting)	$55–$75
Backend Developer (Bash + Other Skills)	$60–$85

While Bash/Shell Scripting Developers specialize in automation, pipeline orchestration, and environment scripting, adjacent roles like DevOps Engineers often command higher rates due to broader responsibilities (CI/CD, infrastructure as code, cloud integrations).

6. Why Latin America Offers the Best Rates for U.S. Companies

Substantial Cost Savings

• A mid-level Bash/Shell Scripting Developer in Brazil earns $20–$25/hr vs. $55–$75/hr in the U.S. (?60–70% reduction)
  
• In Argentina and Colombia, mid-level rates of $18–$22/hr and $14–$20/hr offer 65–75% savings compared to U.S. averages
  

High-Quality, Well-Educated Talent Pool

LATAM universities and bootcamps now produce developers proficient in Bash, KornShell, Python for scripting, and infrastructure automation. Many LATAM professionals have collaborated with U.S. and European clients, ensuring familiarity with Agile processes, Git workflows, Jenkins, and remote collaboration tools.

Time Zone Overlap

Countries like Brazil and Argentina share multiple working hours with Eastern and Central U.S. time zones, enabling synchronous collaboration, real-time feedback, and daily standups.

English Proficiency and Cultural Affinity

A growing number of LATAM professionals speak fluent English and understand Western business practices, reducing communication friction and easing integration into U.S. teams.

Strong Remote Collaboration Skills

LATAM developers often have extensive remote work experience, using tools like Slack, Zoom, Docker, and AWS. They are accustomed to self-management, version control, and asynchronous communication.

7. Conclusion

Bash/Shell Scripting Developer hourly rates in 2025 vary based on experience level, geographic location, and engagement model. In the United States, entry-level professionals earn $35–$50/hr, mid-level earn $55–$75/hr, and senior roles command $75–$90/hr. By contrast, Latin American talent typically ranges from $15–$28/hr, yielding 60–75% cost savings without compromising on foundational skills and quality.

For U.S.-based companies, leveraging LATAM Bash/Shell Scripting Developers offers a strategic advantage: access to a growing pool of highly skilled professionals, significant budgetary efficiencies, and smooth collaboration facilitated by overlapping time zones and strong English proficiency. When planning your next automation or infrastructure project, consider the full landscape of hourly rates outlined above to make informed hiring decisions that balance cost and expertise.

Whether you need entry-level, mid-level, or senior scripting expertise, Latin America provides a compelling talent pool that can help you deliver robust and scalable solutions at competitive rates. Get in touch with CloudDevs today to learn more about hiring your Bash/Shell Scripting Developers from LATAM.