"We can't hire PHP developers"
Your Quick Response
"Actually, PHP has one of the largest talent pools of any server-side language. With 5+ million developers worldwide, the hiring pool is massive. The challenge isn't finding PHP developers -it's finding skilled developers in any language. Focus on hiring for Symfony or Laravel specifically, and you'll find experienced professionals. PHP developers also tend to command lower salaries than Node.js or Go engineers, reducing your hiring costs."
Developer Pool Comparison
Salary Comparison (European Averages)
Average annual salary
+27% vs PHP
+18% vs PHP
+45% vs PHP
Tips for Hiring PHP Developers
1. Specify Framework Expertise
Hire for "Symfony Developer" or "Laravel Developer" specifically. Framework expertise indicates quality and modern practices.
2. Look for PSR Knowledge
Candidates familiar with PSR standards (PSR-4, PSR-7, PSR-12) understand modern PHP practices and tooling.
3. Check PHP Version Experience
Look for experience with PHP 8.x features like attributes, enums, and strict typing. This indicates up-to-date knowledge.
4. Consider Agency Partners
SensioLabs, Spryker, and hundreds of specialized Symfony/Laravel agencies can augment your team or handle projects entirely.
Key Talking Points
- 5+ million PHP developers globally -the largest talent pool
- PHP developers cost 20-45% less than Go or Node.js engineers
- Strong agency ecosystem for outsourcing or team augmentation
- Hire for Symfony/Laravel expertise specifically, not generic "PHP"