Data science has emerged as one of Canada’s most in-demand and lucrative career paths. As organizations increasingly rely on data-driven insights and advanced analytics, skilled data science professionals are sought after across industries. So, compared to the average national overall salaries, what can data scientists expect to earn in Canada in 2025 and beyond?
Whether you are an aspiring data scientist looking to enter the field or a current professional exploring new opportunities, this guide examines the key factors impacting average data scientist salaries, including experience levels, geographic differences, industries, skills, education, and more, help you benchmark data scientist salaries and maximize your earning potential.
What are the Key Factors Influencing Salaries for Data Scientists in Canada?
When evaluating data science salaries in Canada, these six major critical factors come into play:
Location
The demand and cost of living in different cities significantly impact salaries. Major urban tech hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal offer higher pay than smaller cities. However, remote work opportunities are also rising, providing earning potential across Canada.
Experience Level
As data scientists gain more hands-on experience and develop specialized skills, their salaries increase accordingly.
Education
Advanced degrees correlate strongly with higher salaries. Data scientists with a master’s or PhD tend to earn more than those with a bachelor’s degree, especially for senior roles.
Industry
The industry itself plays a key role in determining pay scales. Highly technical sectors like software/IT, finance, engineering, and healthcare tend to pay higher salaries for data skills than academia or government.
Company Size
Large technology firms and enterprises generally offer more competitive salaries compared to startups or smaller companies. However, smaller firms may provide upside through stock options.
Skills & Expertise
Specific skills like machine learning, predictive modelling, Python, R, SQL, Hadoop, Spark, and cloud platforms are highly sought after and rewarded.
What are the Average Data Scientist Salaries in Canada?
Data science is a highly sought-after and well-paying career in Canada. With organizations relying more on advanced analytics and AI for decision-making, skilled data science professionals are in high demand.
According to Payscale, the average base salary for a data scientist in Canada is CAD 85,859. However, earnings vary widely based on location, experience, education, industry, and company size. Below is a detailed breakdown of average salaries for data scientists in Canada based on experience level.
Entry-Level Data Scientists (<1 year experience)
For professionals starting, entry-level data scientist salaries in Canada range from approximately CAD 73,796 to CAD 84,603. Recent graduates can expect to earn on the lower end of that scale at companies focused on training and development.
Those with internship experience or specialized skills like Python and SQL can negotiate for salaries at the higher end of that range when joining well-established firms.
For example, Mastercard’s Technology Development Program for data scientists starts at approximately CAD 77,000.
Mid-Level Data Scientists (3-5 years experience)
With a few years of hands-on analytics experience, mid-level data scientists’ salaries jump to between CAD 90,000 and CAD 120,000, averaging around CAD 97,190.
At this stage, demonstrated expertise in machine learning, AI model development, statistical analysis, and data visualization enable more vigorous salary negotiations.
Large companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and BMO commonly hire mid-career data professionals at salaries exceeding CAD 100,000.
Senior Data Scientists (8+ years experience)
After nearly a decade of honing their craft, senior data science professionals in Canada earn an average of CAD 104,432, with salaries reaching up to CAD 127,983 for specialized roles. Their extensive experience and technical leadership capabilities justify these higher earnings.
For example, senior data scientists at Canada’s big banks, such as RBC, TD, and Scotiabank, can expect base salaries between CAD 110,000 and CAD 130,000. Senior professionals also negotiate higher bonuses, stock options, and benefits, reflecting their strategic value.
Source: https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Data_Scientist/Salary
What are the Highest Paying Cities for Data Scientists in Canada?
While data scientists earn competitive salaries across Canada, key technology and financial hubs tend to pay the highest base salaries:
Toronto, ON
As Canada’s financial capital and a central tech hub, Toronto offers a wealth of high-paying data science roles with median salaries of approximately CAD 127,000. Multinationals like Oracle, IBM, and Thomson Reuters have major offices here, as do AI innovators like Layer 6 AI.
Vancouver, BC
Vancouver combines a vibrant technology ecosystem with a desirable lifestyle, leading to median data scientist salaries of CAD 158,000. Amazon, Microsoft, SAP, and Tableau have offices and homegrown success stories like Hootsuite, BuildDirect, and Visier.
Montreal, QC
Montreal’s bilingual workforce and AI research capabilities provide interesting opportunities, although data scientist salaries with medians around CAD 92,000 are lower. Notable companies operating in Montreal include Google, Facebook, McGill Centre for Intelligent Machines, and Quebec AI Institute MILA.
Calgary, AB
Major energy sector employers drive demand for data analytics in Calgary. Data scientists earn between CAD 85,000 and CAD 105,000 at companies like Suncor, Canadian Natural Resources, and TC Energy, which are headquartered here.
Ottawa, ON
Ottawa is home to government agencies and tech firms like IBM, Cisco, and Halogen Software. Salaries for data professionals range from CAD 80,000 to CAD 120,000. Upcoming infrastructure projects provide solid opportunities.
| Overall | CAD 85,859 |
| Toronto, ON | CAD 127,000 |
| Vancouver, BC | CAD 158,000 |
| Montreal, QC | CAD 92,000 |
| Calgary, AB | CAD 85,000 ~ CAD 105,000 |
| Ottawa, ON | CAD 80,000 ~ CAD 120,000 |
The cost of living is also key when comparing locations. Although Vancouver and Toronto pay more, Montreal offers a very affordable lifestyle. Remote data scientists can also access big-city salaries from smaller towns.
What are the Industries With the Top Data Scientist Salaries in Canada?
In Canada, these five sectors tend to offer the most lucrative salaries for data science talent:
Technology & AI
Top firms like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Borealis AI, and Meta (Facebook) offer compensation exceeding CAD 150,000 for senior data scientists. Base data scientist salaries at technology firms range from CAD 130,000 to CAD 250,000 for those with specialized machine learning and AI skills. Candidates with PhDs are highly sought after.
Finance & Fintech
Major banks and financial institutions like Manulife, Sunlife, RBC, BMO, and TD pay data analytics professionals adept at predictive modelling and risk analysis. Data scientist salaries average upwards of CAD 130,000. Fintechs also compensate highly for data skills.
Management Consulting
Strategy powerhouses like McKinsey, BCG, and Deloitte hire MBAs and PhDs to perform advanced analytics. Data scientist salaries start around CAD 100,000 for junior roles but reach CAD 200,000+ for experienced consultants.
Healthcare
Hospitals, pharma/biotech firms, and health tech startups leverage data science for everything from predictive patient diagnosis to drug R&D. Senior data scientists can earn over CAD 120,000, especially if they hold clinical degrees.
Legal
Law firms and legal-tech startups hire data scientists to perform e-discovery, analyze case patterns, increase efficiency, and more. Based on experience and legal knowledge, data scientist salaries range from CAD 80,000 to CAD 150,000.
How to Maximize Your Data Scientist Salary in Canada?
Beyond finding the right industry and employer, there are helpful steps data science professionals can take to boost their salaries in Canada:
- Earn a master’s degree: Advanced education correlates strongly with higher pay, especially in technical or quantitative programs like data science, machine learning, statistics, or computer science.
- Get certifications: Credentials like AWS Certified Data Analytics, IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, and Sas Certified Data Scientist can give your profile a competitive edge.
- Learn high-value skills: Master key technologies like Python, R, SQL, Spark, cloud platforms, statistical analysis, and machine learning frameworks.
- Change jobs strategically: Switching companies every 3-5 years effectively increases your salary to match your expanding skillset.
- Take on leadership roles: Managing teams or spearheading high-impact projects enables more significant salary jumps at senior levels.
- Negotiate job offers: Use peer salary data to counter initial offers 5-15% above what is proposed. Ask about bonuses and stock options.
- Freelance on the side: Consulting on short-term contracts is paid very lucratively in data science. This helps grow your network, too.
- Consider remote roles: With Canada’s immigration-friendly policies like Express Entry, remote US salaries can be advantageous.
What is The Future Outlook for Data Scientist Salaries in Canada?
As organizations continue their digital transformation and adoption of artificial intelligence, Canada’s high demand for data scientists will grow substantially in the coming years.
These salary trends reflect how integral data science roles have become for staying competitive in today’s data-centric business landscape. For professionals who invest in staying at the cutting edge of the latest technologies and honing analytical thinking skills, a rewarding lifelong career awaits.
Curious about other professions' salaries in Canada? Learn more here:
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The Bottom Line
As a field, data science offers strong career prospects and earning potential in Canada today. While experienced professionals at marquee employers can earn over CAD 200,000 in total compensation, even early career data scientist salaries are highly competitive, starting at CAD 73,796 and rising steadily with experience.
With the growth of data and the adoption of artificial intelligence, the career outlook for data scientists will remain very strong. Significant technology and finance hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal pay the highest base data scientist salary in Canada, but reduced costs of living and remote work provide earning potential across the country. For professionals passionate about deriving insights from complex data, data science is a top career choice in the country.
FAQs about Average Data Scientist Salaries in Canada
Here are 5 FAQs related to the topic of average data scientist salaries in Canada:
What is the average salary for a data scientist in Canada in 2025?
The average salary for a data scientist in Canada is projected to be around $104,000 in 2025, up from $99,507 in 2023. Salaries are expected to rise due to high demand and labor shortages for data science skills.
Which cities in Canada will have the highest data scientist salaries in 2025?
Major technology hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa are likely to continue offering the highest data scientist salaries in 2025. However, increased remote work opportunities may allow data scientists across Canada to access the high salaries from top-paying cities.
How does experience level impact data scientist salaries in Canada in 2025?
In 2025, entry-level data scientists in Canada can expect to earn between $75,000 - $90,000 on average, while senior level data scientists with 10+ years experience can earn well over $130,000 annually. Salaries steadily increase with more experience.
What skills will help data scientists earn higher salaries in Canada in 2025?
Expertise in machine learning, AI, Python, R, SQL, cloud platforms like AWS, and statistical modeling will be key skills to boost data scientist salaries in 2025. Soft skills like communication and business acumen will also be valuable.
Which industries will offer the highest data scientist salaries in Canada in 2025?
The technology, finance, healthcare and consulting sectors are likely to continue offering the highest salaries for data scientists in 2025. Startups may also provide upside through stock options and bonuses.