How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Laravel Developer: A Complete Guide

Are you considering Laravel for your next web application but uncertain about the development costs? If yes, know that Laravel is one of the most powerful and widely used PHP frameworks. As per Statista, Laravel powers 12.94% of businesses globally and ranks as the third most popular PHP tech stack in 2024.

However, hiring a Laravel developer involves various cost factors, including experience level, geographical location, and project complexity. With multiple pricing models available, determining the right budget can be challenging.

In this blog, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of Laravel developer costs, offering actionable insights to help you make informed hiring decisions. Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise, understanding these factors will enable you to optimize your budget while ensuring top-tier development expertise. Let’s get started.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Laravel Developer? [Quick Cost Overview]

The cost of hiring a skilled Laravel developer with 4-6 years of experience can range from $40 to $80/hour. However, the cost of hiring Laravel developers is based on various factors like experience level, geographic location, project complexity, and hiring model.

You can hire Laravel developers on an hourly, monthly, or project basis based on your business needs. Having a better understanding of these cost differences will help you plan your budget efficiently. Additionally, you will be able to hire the right talent for your respective work.

Laravel developer cost breakdown (hourly & monthly rates)

The below table provides a breakdown of Laravel developer costs based on experience:

Experience LevelAgency (Project-Based Cost)In-House Developer (Monthly Salary)Freelancer (Hourly Rate)
Junior Developer (0–2 years)$5,000–$10,000$2,500–$5,000$15–$40 per hour
Mid-Level Developer (2–5 years)$10,000–$25,000$5,000–$8,000$40–$80 per hour
Senior Developer (5+ years)$25,000–$50,000+$8,000–$15,000+$70–$150+ per hour

Now that you have got a sneak peek of the hiring cost of Laravel developers, here is detailed information about developers based on their experience level.

  • Entry-Level Laravel Developers ($15–$40/hour): Suitable for small projects, simple web applications, or providing assistance in ongoing development under supervision.
  • Mid-Level Laravel Developers ($40–$80/hour): Best for building mid-sized applications with more complex functionalities. They have hands-on experience handling various integrations and customizations.
  • Senior-Level Laravel Developers ($70–$150/hour): Ideal for enterprise-level applications, high-performance systems, and custom software solutions requiring deep expertise in Laravel and associated technologies.

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With a clear understanding of the cost of hiring a Laravel Developer, now it’s time to consider the factors affecting the Laravel developer cost.

5 Factors Influencing the Cost of Hiring Laravel Developers

Decoding Laravel Hiring Costs_ 5 Essential Elements

The hiring cost of a Laravel developer is based on multiple factors that affect their hourly rates, monthly salaries, or project-based fees. Businesses must consider these factors to make sure they hire the right developer without exceeding their budget.

Here are five key factors that determine Laravel development costs:

  1. Project complexity and scope

    The complexity of your Laravel projects plays an important role in deciding the cost of hiring a Laravel developer. You can categorize your projects into three levels based on their requirements as below:

    Simple projects

    Basic websites and landing pages that need minimal customization and functionality fall into the simple project category. Generally, these projects are less expensive and can be performed by junior developers.

    Medium complexity projects

    eCommerce websites, membership portals, and CMS-based applications that need third-party integrations like payment gateways are mid-level complexity projects. These projects need mid-level Laravel developers.

    High-complexity projects

    SaaS applications and enterprise-level solutions, with real-time features, are categorized into more complex projects. These projects require senior Laravel developers or experienced Laravel development companies, which significantly increases costs.

  2. Developer experience and skill level

    Experience plays an important role in choosing the right Laravel developer. Opting for a junior developer might be more budget-friendly but could come with a learning curve. Selecting an experienced developer might incur more costs but they are skilled. Always remember, the more the experience, the higher a Laravel developer will charge for their services.

    Laravel developers with more experience and advanced skill sets charge higher rates due to their ability to handle complex development tasks, optimize performance, and troubleshoot efficiently. The cost breakdown based on experience is as follows:

    Experience LevelYears of ExperienceAverage Hourly Cost ($)
    Entry-level0–2 years$20–$40
    Mid-level2–5 years$40–$70
    Senior-level5+ years$70–$120

    Hiring a senior developer for a simple project would be an unnecessary expense while hiring a junior developer for a complex project could lead to inefficiencies and costly mistakes. It is therefore important to choose a developer with the right skills for the best results.

  3. Geographical location and market rates

    The cost of hiring Laravel developers might differ based on location due to differences in living costs, demand, and supply. Here is a detailed breakdown of Laravel developer rates in different regions:

    RegionHourly Rate (Freelancer)Monthly Salary (In-House Developer)
    North America (USA, Canada)$70–$150+$8,000–$15,000+
    Western Europe (UK, Germany, France)$50–$100$6,000–$12,000
    Eastern Europe (Poland, Ukraine, Romania)$30–$60$3,500–$7,000
    South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh)$15–$40$2,500–$5,000
    Southeast Asia (Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia)$20–$50$3,000–$6,000

    If you are looking for cost-effective Laravel development services, opt for developers from regions like Eastern Europe or South Asia without compromising on quality. However, differences in time zones, communication, and work culture should also be taken into consideration.

  4. In-house vs. outsourcing vs. freelancers

    Before choosing between in-house hiring, freelancers and outsourcing, it’s essential to understand what hiring models are and how they impact your project cost and workflow efficiency.

    A hiring model refers to the approach a business takes to bring in talent for a project. The right model depends on factors such as project complexity, budget, long-term goals, and required expertise. Your hiring model can have a great impact on your overall cost. Here are the three main hiring models for hiring Laravel programmers:

    Freelance Laravel developers

    Freelancing works best for small businesses that need quick development at a lower cost.
    Generally, they charge on per-project rates making them a budget-friendly option. However, outsourcing Laravel development projects from freelancers might not get you long-term support.

    In-house developers

    Suitable for organizations that need continuous Laravel development and maintenance. In-house developers offer consistency and control, but come with a higher upfront cost but offer the much-needed consistency.

    Web development agencies

    Best for businesses that require a full-fledged team to manage complex Laravel applications. Opting for an agency offers you quality assurance, project management, and long-term support, but at a premium cost. However, they charge the highest rates due to their structured development processes and expertise.

    Every hiring model has its advantages and disadvantages, you must choose the one that meets your budget and project needs.

  5. Project timeline

    The development time of the projects has a big impact on the Laravel developer costs. If you require a Laravel application to be developed within a tight deadline, you may need to:

    • Hire additional developers to speed up development, increasing overall costs.
    • Pay premium rates for developers willing to work on an accelerated timeline.
    • Choose Laravel development companies that specialize in rapid deployment.

    Working with longer project timelines might reduce the cost as developers can work at their own pace without incurring rush fees. However, longer development timelines might also delay the project’s ROI.

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Now that we’ve explored the factors influencing cost, let’s look at where you can actually find the best Laravel developers for hire.

Where Can You Find the Best Laravel Developers for Hire?

Hiring the right developer is not everyone’s cup of tea. You need to know where to look and find the best one for your business. Here are some platforms where you can find suitable Laravel developers for your business as per your project needs and budget.

  1. Web development agencies

    Several companies like Space-O Technologies offer dedicated Laravel developers with considerable experience and expertise. You must opt for agencies to hire Laravel developers for long-term Laravel development support.

  2. Freelance marketplaces

    You can opt for platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal. These websites offer a vast pool of freelance Laravel developers. Additionally, they also enable you to filter candidates based on different criteria like expertise, reviews, and rates.

  3. Job portals

    Organizations looking forward to hiring in-house talent can opt for websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. These platforms allow you to hire Laravel developers without any hassle.

  4. Developer communities & GitHub

    There are several Laravel-specific communities, forums, and GitHub repositories to help you find talented Laravel developers. Joining these communities can help you connect with experienced professionals, and help discover potential Laravel developers for your business.

    Now that we’ve explored the factors influencing cost, and hopefully, armed you with some cost-saving strategies, let’s dive into where you can actually find the best Laravel developers for hire.

5 Tips for Hiring a Cost-Effective Laravel Developer

5 Tips to Hire Affordable Laravel Developers

Hiring a Laravel developer requires you to strike the perfect balance between cost efficiency and technical expertise. Irrespective of your business size, optimizing your hiring strategy helps you save costs while ensuring high-quality development. Here are five key tips to help you hire a Laravel developer without overspending.

  1. Define your project scope clearly

    Before hiring a Laravel developer, define your project requirements–features, functionality, and expected results. A well-prepared project scope lessens the chances of unexpected changes, resulting in affordable development costs.

    Ensure to have clarity regarding the kind of website you want, be it a simple one, a complex web application, or API development. This decision can have a big impact on the required skill level and overall budget.

  2. Choose the right hiring model

    There are three ways to hire a Laravel developer: freelancing, in-house hiring, and outsourcing to a web development agency. Freelancers or remote Laravel developers are budget-friendly but lack long-term reliability. With in-house developers, you collaborate better, but they come with additional costs.

    Outsourcing to an experienced Laravel development company might be a balanced approach. But, remember every business is different and so are its needs. So, pick the one that meets all your business requirements and budgets.

  3. Assess experience and technical skills

    Always hire an experienced Laravel developer to prevent technical difficulties and ensure code quality. Start by reviewing their portfolio, GitHub repositories, or past projects to assess their expertise in PHP framework and Laravel framework web development.

    Hiring an expert experienced Laravel programmer might be expensive but can save costs in the long run by delivering efficient and optimized code.

  4. Pick offshore talent for cost savings

    Hiring offshore developers from countries like India, Ukraine, or the Philippines is a popular practice for reducing development costs. While developers in the U.S. or Europe may charge between $50–$150 per hour, offshore developers with similar expertise charge $20–$50 per hour.

    Ensure you work with a reputable development company that offers quality assurance, effective communication, and adherence to deadlines.

  5. Opt for a trial project before committing

    Before making a long-term commitment, assign a small trial project to evaluate the developer’s coding skills, problem-solving ability, and communication style. This helps in assessing whether they are a good fit for your project without a significant financial investment. Many Laravel development companies, including Space-O Technologies, offer trial periods to help clients make informed hiring decisions.

Hire Skilled Laravel Developers in Budget From Space-O Technologies

Hiring a Laravel developer requires careful consideration of several factors. By understanding the cost considerations, and evaluating developer expertise, you can ensure a successful project.
The cost to hire a Laravel developer depends on factors like project complexity, developer experience, location, and hiring model. Whether you need a freelancer, an in-house developer, or a dedicated Laravel development team, choosing the right option ensures cost efficiency and project success.

At Space-O Technologies, we provide expert Laravel developers with proven experience in building secure, scalable, and high-performance web applications. With over 300+ Laravel development projects successfully delivered and a 4.8/5 client satisfaction rating on Clutch, we ensure top-quality solutions tailored to your business needs.

Our flexible hiring models like hourly, part-time, or full-time allow businesses to optimize costs without compromising on quality. Whether you are looking to build your Laravel team, augment your existing team, or outsource a project, we have the right talent for you.

Looking to hire a Laravel developer? Partner with Space-O Technologies and get access to top-tier Laravel talent that fits your budget and project requirements. To know more about our services, contact us today.

Find the Best Laravel Developer for Your Project

Need a skilled Laravel developer for your web project? Hire the right talent for your project from Space-O Technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions on Laravel Developer Hiring Costs

How does project complexity affect the overall cost of hiring a Laravel developer?

The project’s complexity adds up to the cost of hiring a Laravel developer. A simple application with CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) features requires fewer development hours. However complex applications with integrations, APIs, and custom features require skilled developers, increasing costs.

What are some hidden costs to consider when hiring Laravel developers?

Some of the hidden costs that you must consider are the licensing fees for premium plugins, hosting, maintenance, debugging, and third-party integrations. Additionally, any unexpected revision or feature update might also be added to the overall expenses.

What are the typical costs associated with maintaining and supporting a Laravel application after launch?

Once the Laravel application is launched, businesses must create a specific budget for fixing bugs, updating security, server maintenance, and software upgrades. The maintenance cost differs based on the application’s size and complexity with monthly expenses ranging from 10-20% of the original development cost.

What are the pros and cons of hiring in-house Laravel developers versus outsourcing?

Hiring an in-house Laravel developer comes with various benefits like better collaboration, full-time availability, and direct communication. But all of these benefits come at higher costs comprising the salaries, benefits, and infrastructure.

Opting for outsourcing helps you save, and provides access to a global talent pool, and flexibility. However, it might be challenging in terms of communication, quality control, and managing time zone differences.

Is it better to hire a freelance app developer or an app development company?

Freelancers are a viable option for small projects, but might not be the best option for large-scale development. With an app development company, you get a team of experts, structured workflows, and ongoing support.

But, all of this comes at a higher cost which might not be feasible for some businesses. In the end, the mere choice is dependent on your project’s size and long-term requirements.

Is it preferable to choose an hourly rate or a fixed project fee?

The choice between an hourly rate and a fixed project fee depends on your specific requirements. An hourly rate works best for projects with ever-changing requirements that offer flexibility to make changes.

However, a fixed project fee is feasible for well-defined projects with clear timelines and deliverables. It helps businesses to manage their budgets efficiently without any unexpected cost overruns.

Bhaval Patel

Written by

Bhaval Patel is a Director (Operations) at Space-O Technologies. He has 20+ years of experience helping startups and enterprises with custom software solutions to drive maximum results. Under his leadership, Space-O has won the 8th GESIA annual award for being the best mobile app development company. So far, he has validated more than 300 app ideas and successfully delivered 100 custom solutions using the technologies, such as Swift, Kotlin, React Native, Flutter, PHP, RoR, IoT, AI, NFC, AR/VR, Blockchain, NFT, and more.