Engineering is a diverse and highly valued profession in Canada. With major infrastructure projects, a transition to green energy, and growth in fields like AI and big data, engineering roles are in high demand nationwide.
This bright outlook comes with lucrative salaries, especially for experienced professionals and those specializing in key areas. Read on to discover average engineer salaries in Canada and prospects beyond.
What are the Average Engineer Salaries in Canada?
According to Talent.com, engineers in Canada earn an average of $120,668 per year, which is higher than the overall average salaries in Canada ($67,600). However, salaries can range from $92,500 on the low end to $147,767 on the high end, indicating significant variation based on factors like role, experience, location, and industry.
What are the top-paying cities for engineers in Canada?
Regionally, Alberta and cities like Calgary and Edmonton tend to offer the highest salaries for engineers, especially those specializing in oil and gas. Ontario cities, including Toronto, Mississauga and Waterloo, boast substantial salaries due to robust manufacturing, technology and infrastructure sectors.
Other top-paying cities include:
| City | Province | Average Salary |
| Calgary | AB | $105,163 |
| Toronto | ON | $99,418 |
| Edmonton | AB | $99,157 |
| Vancouver | BC | $106,965 |
| Mississauga | ON | $90,868 |
Smaller cities and provinces offer more modest salaries, reflecting fewer opportunities in niche engineering specializations, as shown below:
| City | Province | Average Salary |
| Winnipeg | MB | $63,155 |
| Saskatoon | SK | $86,557 |
| Regina | SK | $66,358 |
Source: Indeed.com
What are the Salaries for Different Engineering Disciplines in Canada?
Engineering jobs encompass a diverse range of specialties, each with varying levels of demand and salary potential across Canada. Here is an overview of key engineering disciplines:
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test machinery such as engines, sensors, and industrial systems. They are in demand across manufacturing, biotech, automotive, aerospace, and other sectors.
- Starting Salary: $80,000 to $112,000
- Experienced Salary (5+ years): $100,000 to $160,000
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineers specialize in power systems, electronics, microprocessors, telecommunications and control systems. This versatile field is critical for the energy, tech and manufacturing industries.
- Average Salary: $80,000 to $113,000
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers plan and execute public infrastructure projects, including buildings, roads, bridges, dams, water systems and other large-scale public works.
- Average Salary: $77,000 to $110,000
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers use physics, chemistry, biology, and math to manage chemical processes and production systems. Their work is applied in pharmaceuticals, energy, food, and other sectors.
- Starting Salary: $90,000 to $123,000
- Experienced Salary (5+ years): $120,000 to $160,000
Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum engineers design processes to extract oil and gas efficiently, economically and safely. This field is vital for meeting Canada’s energy needs.
- Starting Salary: $80,000 to $112,000
- Experienced Salary (5+ years): $150,000 or more
- Senior Salary (10-20 years): $124,000 to $171,000
Source: 9 Jobs in Engineering That Pay More Than $100K a Year – Randstad Canada
What are the Key Factors Influencing Engineering Salaries?
An engineer’s salary is not a single number but a range influenced by five critical factors that include experience, location, discipline, Industry, licensing and certification.
Years of Experience
An engineer’s earning potential is closely tied to their level of experience. Those starting out in entry-level roles generally receive competitive starting salaries that reflect market demand.
With several years in the field, engineers who develop specialized expertise and move into leadership or supervisory positions see their compensation increase accordingly.
At the senior level, engineers with a decade or more of focused experience often command top-tier salaries, particularly those who advance into executive or management roles.
Location
The highest salaries tend to be concentrated in provinces like Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia, home to robust engineering industries spanning oil and gas, manufacturing, infrastructure and technology.
Within those provinces, major urban centers like Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver pay more than smaller towns and cities due to the volume and prestige of projects.
Engineering Discipline
As shown above, different disciplines command different salary ranges. Furthermore, specialization within a field can lead to higher pay. For example, an electrical engineer specializing in the high-demand energy sector typically earns more than one in a generalist role.
Industry
Looking at industries, sectors like oil/gas, mining, aerospace and technology stand out for offering the most lucrative salaries and incentives for engineers, given profitability and engineering-intensive operations.
Bonuses in high-paying sectors like mining and oil/gas frequently range from 20% to 50% of an engineer’s base pay, allowing total compensation packages to swell substantially.
Licensing and Certification
One of the biggest factors allowing experienced engineers to access the highest-paying roles is obtaining the Professional Engineer (P.Eng) license.
The P.Eng certification demonstrates years of focused expertise and allows engineers to take on leadership positions. Obtaining this elite status requires the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering
- 4+ years of relevant work experience
- Completing the Professional Practice Exam
Engineers who operate without P.Eng status face far more limited career progression and earnings potential across Canada. However, they can still work under the supervision of a licensed engineer.
Top Engineering Firms in Canada that Pay Well
In addition to strong salaries across the board, some engineering firms in Canada are particularly renowned for generously compensating employees based on profitability, project volume, and prestige.
- SNC-Lavalin: A global giant in engineering and construction, SNC-Lavalin is involved in sectors ranging from energy and aerospace to infrastructure.
- Stantec: With over 400 locations, Stantec is an international leader in design and engineering, contributing to major projects across North America and beyond.
- WSP Global: This firm provides creative and sustainable engineering solutions for the energy, healthcare, and transit sectors, among others.
- Aecon Group: As Canada’s largest publicly-traded construction company, Aecon played a key role in iconic projects like the CN Tower and continues to be a major employer of engineers.
- PCL Construction: A leader in complex industrial projects, PCL often bundles engineering, procurement, and construction services, creating high-value roles for engineers.
- Hatch Group: This employee-owned firm specializes in engineering for mining, energy, and infrastructure, serving some of the world’s largest metals companies.
The major infrastructure and energy projects these top engineering firms undertake provide opportunities for motivated engineers to earn substantial salaries and benefits, especially in high-tech specializations in high demand across Canada. Engineers who gain licensure and demonstrate strong leadership potential can earn $150,000 or more at these elite firms.
Source: Top 15 Largest Engineering Firms in Canada – LinkedIn
What are the Projected Demand and Outlook for Engineers in Canada?
Multiple factors point towards a strong, continued demand for engineers across specializations in Canada:
- Infrastructure Investment: Federal and provincial governments plan to spend over $180 billion on infrastructure over the next decade, driving demand for civil and construction engineers.
- Technology Growth: Canada’s rapidly expanding tech sector requires software, electrical and systems engineers.
- Resource Extraction: Despite shifts towards sustainability, mining and petroleum engineers are still required, especially with productivity enhancements.
- Clean Energy Transition: Renewable energy, green construction and electrification will require power systems and sustainability engineers.
- Retiring Workforce: With 25% of engineers over 50, many current professionals will retire over the next 5-10 years.
- Skilled Immigration: Programs like Express Entry are expediting immigration for engineers internationally to meet domestic demand.
Overall, engineers across electrical, chemical, mechanical, civil, systems and software engineering can expect strong demand and competitive salaries in the years ahead. Specializing in high-growth sectors can provide the most direct route to a lucrative and stable engineering career.
The Bottom Line
Here are the major key takeaways that Canadian engineers need to pay attention to when it comes to salaries:
- With major infrastructure projects and energy transitions underway, Canadian engineering roles offer median salaries of $94,294.
- Engineers with 5+ years of experience see salaries rise to between $75,000 and $100,000.
- Over 10-20 years of focused experience, senior engineers and leaders can earn $150,000 or more.
- Obtaining the elite Professional Engineer (P.Eng) license provides the highest salary and career potential.
- Petroleum, mining, aerospace, utilities and telecom offer premium salaries, construction, and green energy.
- Immigration pathways are making it easier for skilled foreign engineers to fill high-demand roles across Canada.
Engineering provides diverse, well-compensated career paths for those with core technical expertise and a passion for creating innovative infrastructure and energy solutions. With targeted specialization and willingness to relocate, six-figure salaries are attainable for Canada’s next generation of engineering leaders.
Engineering is just one of many careers with strong earning potential in Canada. From software developers to healthcare professionals, salaries vary across different roles. Take a look at our guide on Average Software Developer Salaries in Canada, Average Registered Nurse Salaries and explore how other professions compare.
FAQs about Engineer Salaries in Canada
Here is a list of FAQs related to engineering salaries in Canada that you might need to know:
What is the average salary for engineers in Canada?
Engineers in Canada earn an average of $120,668 per year. Salaries typically range from $92,500 on the low end to $147,767 on the high end.
Which engineering jobs pay the most in Canada?
Petroleum engineering appears to offer the highest salaries, with experienced professionals earning $150,000 or more, and senior engineers (10-20 years) earning between $124,000-$171,000. Chemical engineering also offers high salaries, with experienced engineers earning $120,000-$160,000.
How much do entry-level engineers make in Canada?
Entry-level engineers in Canada can expect starting salaries in the range of $55,000 - $65,000 per year. This salary band applies to newly graduated engineers just entering the workforce across most disciplines. Location, specialization, and company will impact starting salary.
What city pays engineers the most in Canada?
Calgary, Alberta has the highest salaries for engineers in Canada, averaging around $104,000 annually. Other cities that pay engineers handsomely include Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal thanks to robust infrastructure, manufacturing, oil/gas, and technology sectors.
How can engineers increase their salaries in Canada?
Engineers can increase their earning potential by gaining licensure/certification (e.g. P.Eng), specializing in high-demand fields like data and software engineering, pursuing leadership/management roles, relocating to major metro regions, and working in lucrative industries like aerospace, utilities, and telecommunications.
Can you make 300k a year as an Engineer?
Yes, but it's rare. Engineers can reach $300k through senior leadership roles, specialized consulting, owning an engineering firm, or working in high-paying sectors like AI/ML at top tech companies with stock compensation.
Is $85,000 CAD a good salary in Canada?
Yes, earning $85,000 in Canada is considered a solid starting point for engineers. It sits comfortably within the typical entry-level range for the profession, though it is still below the national average for engineers overall. This means there’s strong potential for salary growth as you gain more experience and move into advanced or specialized roles.
Can you make $500,000 as a data Engineer?
Making $500,000 as a data engineer is extremely rare in Canada. This level is only possible through C-level positions, founding a successful startup, or working remotely for US tech giants with substantial equity compensation.
What factors affect engineer salaries in Canada?
Five key factors influence engineering salaries: years of experience, location (province and city), engineering discipline, industry sector, and professional licensing/certification (particularly P.Eng status).
Do you need a P.Eng license to work as an engineer in Canada?
No, you don't need a P.Eng license to work as an engineer, but you'll work under the supervision of a licensed engineer. However, obtaining a P.Eng license significantly increases your earning potential and allows you to take on leadership positions.
