How Much Does It Cost to Hire Scala Developers?

Startups, tech giants, and businesses in fintech, finance, and other domains select Scala for its powerful capabilities. These include big data processing, concurrency support, immutable data structures, functional programming features, and more.

Scala’s talent pool is smaller and more specialized compared to mainstream languages like Python, Java, Go, or Rust. As a result, the demand for Scala experts as well as their salaries remain high.

Scala was among the top ten highest-paid technologies in 2024 ($88,619) according to Stack Overflow, despite a notable decrease from the 2023 median salary of $96,381. 

The Scala developer cost varies depending on the engineer’s experience, location, and engagement model. Let’s get into more details of each factor and explore the cost to hire Scala engineers in top destinations.

Key Variables That Influence the Cost of Scala Developers for Hire

Understanding the key pricing factors that shape the hiring costs will help you allocate your budget more effectively. Here’s the breakdown of these elements:

• Developer expertise level. Broader professional experience typically comes at higher rates. While mid-level Scala programmers offer lower costs, they may need guidance and additional time for handling complex tasks. By strategically balancing team structure, businesses secure higher code quality and faster project delivery. Senior devs bring higher costs yet reduced execution risks and better software architecture’s scalability.
• Geographical location. The USA and Western Europe offer stronger economic conditions and higher living standards compared to Eastern Europe, India, and LATAM. As a result, partnering with a staffing provider or Scala development company in Eastern Europe or other popular offshore destinations can be up to 50% more cost-effective. However, it’s vital to find the right balance of Scala engineer cost, tech expertise, and cultural compatibility for your project.
• Engagement Model. You can work with Scala programmers in one of the three main formats. Contracting freelancers, employing in-house engineers, or hiring dedicated developers will have different impacts on the total cost of the development process. For instance, independent experts offer lower rates, on-site professionals ensure long-term reliability, and dedicated teams let you leverage the flexibility of team size, contract duration, and more.
• Project complexity & tech stack. Advanced technologies like Big Data, Akka, Play Framework, or Microservices can drive up project costs. They dictate the experience level of the Scala engineers you need, extend their onboarding time, and raise the risk of performance issues during development. If you need, for instance, distributed systems or AI/ML platforms, the expenses on their implementation will be significant.

Finding the right mix of these factors helps companies optimize their hiring strategy. With effective resource allocation, they can achieve high-quality results without exceeding their budgets.

Cost to Hire Scala Developers in Different Locations

How much does it cost to hire Scala developers? Let’s first explore the cost breakdown of a Scala developer’s salary by region, so you can get estimates for your hiring costs.

Note: the salary figures presented in this table are approximate estimates based on available data, industry averages, and market trends. In countries where data for Scala developers is limited or unavailable, we reference general software developer salaries as a benchmark.

The table shows that hiring Scala professionals in Eastern Europe is 2-3 times more cost-effective than in the US, UK, or Western Europe. Let’s explore each country in more detail.

Cost to Hire Scala Developers in Ukraine

Ukrainian developers are well-known for their strong expertise and ability to tackle complex tasks. They’re innovative, creative, dedicated, and experienced in working with American and European companies.

Despite the country’s challenges, its tech landscape is thriving, with a surge in startups and the number of skilled engineers.

Alongside strong professionalism and business mindset, Ukraine’s low living costs make it a cost-effective destination for hiring top Scala developers. Their average monthly remuneration ranges from $4,500 to $6,300.

Cost to Hire Scala Developers in Poland

Polish developers stand out for their technical expertise, commitment, and creativity. Each year, thousands of qualified software developers, including Scala experts, graduate from the country’s numerous and highly rated educational institutions.

The ecosystem of Poland’s IT industry and its growing community of developers continue to attract international companies for collaboration.

Being able to adapt to the Western professional mindset and work behavior while having fluency in English, Polish devs also offer cost-effective rates of $5,300 – 6,800 per month. 

Cost to Hire Scala Developers in Romania

Due to a vast network of educational institutions with technical programs, Romania boasts a growing number of skilled Scala engineers.

Western companies also find them efficient in distributed tech teams thanks to their good command of English, similar mentality, and professional work ethic.

Much like in other Eastern European countries, the local living cost index in Romania is significantly lower than in North America or Western European countries. Here, businesses can contract Scala experts for $3,400 – 5,800 a month. 

Cost to Hire Scala Developers in Hungary

Thanks to the country’s intense focus on STEM education, Hungarian developers gain advanced technical skills. They also possess good problem-solving and other soft skills that ensure delivering high-quality results.

While the cost of living in Hungary is slightly higher than in neighboring countries, the wages of Scala developers are still far below those in the US. You can hire a Scala expert for a monthly cost of $3,400 – 5,800. 

The government and international corporations support the Hungarian IT sector, making Budapest home to multiple R&D centers and startups.

Cost to Hire Scala Developers in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an emerging tech hub with the cost of Scala programmers for hire ranging from $3,300 – 6,300 per month. This level is explained by significantly lower living costs than in North America and Western Europe. 

The country has a large pool of computer science professionals, backed by a solid academic base.

Bulgarian developers have the main traits for advanced, dynamic international projects — adaptability and dedication. Due to cultural alignment with Western partners and high English proficiency, Bulgaria-based Scala experts are easy to collaborate with.

Cost to Hire Scala Developers in the United States

The US boasts one of the world’s most advanced tech ecosystems and strongest IT infrastructures, enabling tech professionals to create and deploy complex solutions efficiently.

The country lets businesses access Scala experts who are highly skilled in computer science and functional programming. Many have hands-on experience working with big data, fintech, and high-performance backend systems.

Hiring local Scala programmers offers American businesses perfect cultural alignment, seamless communication, and synchronized working hours. However, high Scala developer cost ($11,300 – 14,400) often prompts companies to explore nearshore and offshore options for Scala talent. 

Cost to Hire Scala Developers in the United Kingdom

Scala developers in the UK have experience in diverse domains and are culturally aligned with Western European and American companies.

This country’s tech landscape is well-established, making the United Kingdom’s IT sector Europe’s top tech ecosystem. It has a variety of academic institutions and a vibrant startup culture.

The cost of Scala developers in the UK spans from $6,500 to $9,400, so businesses looking to optimize their budgets often find Eastern Europe to be a more cost-effective alternative. 

Cost to Hire Scala Developers in the Netherlands

The Netherlands boasts an innovation-driven culture and has become a growing hub for Scala developers. They’re highly skilled, well-versed in international work practices, and have advanced English skills.

Hiring costs in this country are relatively high due to high demand for Scala talent, its scarcity, and elevated living costs. The average salary range for these experts is $5,700 – 7,600.

Although Dutch software engineers offer exceptional Scala expertise, many businesses from the US, UK, and EU turn to Eastern Europe for more cost-effective professionals.

Eastern Europe remains an attractive destination for US and EU businesses seeking experienced developers. Companies hire local Scala professionals to power their AI-driven solutions, fintech platforms, SaaS products, blockchain infrastructure, and other complex projects.

That’s because local tech experts offer reasonable rates while boasting strong technical and communication skills, English proficiency, similar mentality, and Western work attitude.

Choosing the Right Scala Stack and Team Structure

Now that we’ve covered one of the key project cost drivers — the cost to hire Scala programmers — let’s move on to the next two: technologies and team setup. 

1. Tech stack. Businesses need to select technologies based on their goals, operational efficiency, and solution scalability and maintainability. They should consider not just the upfront cost but rather the strategic value of the chosen combination of Scala frameworks, libraries, and tools. For instance, the Akka stack will have a lower initial investment than ZIO, which can in turn lead to a higher long-term ROI. 
2. Type of experts you need. Your project scope will dictate if you need full-stack or backend Scala developers. The first professionals are typically more expensive as they leverage knowledge of Angular, React, or other front-end frameworks. Hiring the backend-only Scala experts is more affordable and better suited for complex, high-load apps. With more profound expertise, they improve system performance and reliability. 
3. Scala team setup. Smaller teams offer cost-effectiveness but may lead to longer delivery timelines compared to larger teams with specialized roles, such as DevOps and QA specialists. A well-balanced structure allows companies to avoid overlapping responsibilities or assigning senior experts to basic tasks. Proper role distribution leads to optimized development. Below are three core Scala team configurations for different project needs, with brief descriptions of each role.

• Backend Scala developer: Builds and optimizes backends using Scala.
• Frontend developer: Designs UIs and integrates them with Scala backend systems. 
• QA tester: Ensures software quality through testing and checking compliance with requirements. 
• DevOps engineer: Creates, manages, and optimizes system infrastructure and performance. 
• Product manager: Aligns business and project goals, coordinates team tasks, and oversees ongoing product maintenance.

By balancing the technology choices and team structures for Scala development projects, businesses optimize their costs and ensure long-term success.

3 Models of Hiring Scala Developers and Their Cost Implications

Finally, let’s explore the last variable on our list — collaboration formats with Scala engineers and their impact on your project costs. Here are the three options.

Contracting Freelance Scala Developers

Businesses can hire individual Scala professionals through platforms like Upwork, Toptal, Arc.dev, and more. This model is well-suited for short-term, project- or task-based work that doesn’t require a full-time commitment. It enables access to niche expertise while supporting flexible budgeting. Freelancers work remotely using their own software and hardware, so companies save on office premises and equipment. However, you can’t fully control such developers, which raises challenges with quality assurance and project continuity. Additionally, you’ll need to manage the recruitment process. Freelance software engineers typically command the lowest rates compared to in-house or outstaffed experts, as you don’t pay for overheads. The service fee can be up to 20% of the project price.

Employing In-House Scala Developers (With IT Recruiting Agencies)

The alternative to working with freelancers is building an in-house Scala team. However, to find experts, you’ll probably need professional services from tech recruiting agencies. They’ll leverage their database, job platforms, and professional network to source, vet, and present relevant candidates for employment. The placement, one-time fee typically equals 20% of the expert’s annual salary and is paid after the developer joins the team. The in-house format usually requires more time for recruiting and administrative formalities compared to the freelance approach. Also, you have to cover office amenities, equipment, vacations, and employee benefits, as well as team administration and talent retention. While the initial investment per professional is higher, companies benefit from greater long-term returns.

Hiring Dedicated Scala Developers With Staffing Providers

Collaborating with an IT staff augmentation company sits between the previous two models and often offers even greater benefits to businesses. Your partner evaluates your hiring needs and presents you with highly relevant candidates. Many agencies offer tech interview services that help you select developers with the right skills and a strong cultural fit. So, you can build a dedicated Scala team of any size within a few weeks. Typically, dedicated team providers handle back-office assistance and IT infrastructure support for the engineers they hire on your behalf. You can also scale your team up or down at any time. Businesses pay an all-inclusive monthly fee — typically up to 20% of the developer’s salary — without hidden costs.

Why Choose HireScalaDevelopers.com?

HireScalaDevelopers.com is a provider of remote Scala developers with 14+ years of experience and a database of 250+ vetted experts. Our seasoned tech recruiters can find dedicated, top-tier Scala programmers in Eastern Europe within a few weeks.

We’ll help you effectively onboard and retain your team members for long-term partnership, while taking care of all administrative tasks along the way.

Like our 120+ clients, you can cut the cost to hire Scala programmers up to 2X compared to hiring them in North America or Western Europe.