AI Salaries in Canada 2026: The Complete Compensation Guide

Q: What is the average AI salary in Canada?

The average AI salary in Canada ranges from **$100,000 to $200,000** depending on role and experience. Machine Learning Engineers average $117,000-$149,000 base salary, while AI Research Scientists at top labs earn $175,000-$220,000 base with total compensation reaching $300,000-$373,000 at places like Borealis AI and Layer 6.

Q: How much do machine learning engineers make in Canada?

Machine Learning Engineers in Canada earn **$70,000-$103,000** at entry level, **$110,000-$145,000** at mid-level, and **$145,000-$225,000** at senior/staff levels. Total compensation including equity can reach $300,000-$400,000+ at top companies like Google Canada, Cohere, and Waabi.

Q: Which Canadian city pays the highest AI salaries?

**Vancouver** pays the highest per-role AI salaries due to US company satellite offices and proximity to Seattle. However, **Toronto** has the highest total compensation potential due to elite research labs (Borealis AI, Layer 6) and the concentration of AI startups. Montreal offers strong compensation with significantly lower cost of living.

Q: Do remote AI jobs pay more in Canada?

Yes, remote AI jobs pay approximately **21.9% more** than office-based positions in Canada. US companies hiring remote Canadian AI talent often pay US-calibrated salaries, creating compensation packages 40-60% above local market rates.

Q: What is entry-level AI salary in Canada?

Entry-level AI salaries in Canada range from **$65,000 to $130,000** depending on education and background. CS/ML Master's graduates from top schools start at $90,000-$130,000, while bootcamp graduates typically start at $65,000-$90,000. PhDs often enter at mid or senior level compensation.

Q: How does AI salary in Canada compare to the US?

Canadian AI salaries are typically **20-40% lower** than equivalent US roles when comparing base salary. However, when adjusted for cost of living, universal healthcare, and quality of life, the gap narrows significantly. Toronto and Vancouver salaries have been converging with US rates as competition for talent intensifies.

Q: What equity should I expect at an AI startup?

Equity grants at AI startups range from **0.05% to 2.0%** depending on company stage and role seniority. Early-stage (pre-seed to Series A) offers 0.25-2.0%, while later-stage companies offer 0.05-0.25%. Equity typically vests over 4 years with a 1-year cliff.

Q: How fast are AI salaries growing in Canada?

Canadian AI salaries are growing **4-8% annually**, with Montreal projected at 4.3% growth through 2027. The competition from US remote employers and well-funded Canadian AI companies like Cohere continues to push compensation upward.

When Cohere raised $500 million in 2024, Toronto ML engineers started fielding offers with total compensation packages exceeding CA$400,000. A year later, the competition for Canadian AI talent has only intensified—with companies across all three major hubs now paying premiums that rival Silicon Valley.

This guide breaks down what AI professionals actually earn in Canada in 2026, based on data from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, Indeed, and direct reports from the community.

What Is the Average AI Salary in Canada?

The average salary for AI and machine learning roles in Canada ranges from $100,000 to $200,000 depending on role, experience, and location. However, top-tier companies pay significantly more.

Role	Average Base Salary	Median Total Comp
Machine Learning Engineer	$117,000 - $149,000	$165,000 - $250,000
AI Research Scientist	$132,000 - $175,000	$200,000 - $373,000
Data Scientist	$101,000 - $132,000	$130,000 - $180,000
AI Product Manager	$100,000 - $140,000	$150,000 - $207,000
ML Ops Engineer	$95,000 - $130,000	$130,000 - $175,000

Total compensation includes base salary, bonuses, and equity (RSUs or stock options). At top companies, equity can represent 30-50% of total compensation.

How Much Do Machine Learning Engineers Make in Canada?

Machine Learning Engineers are the backbone of Canada's AI industry, and compensation reflects their importance.

ML Engineer Salary by Experience Level

Experience	Base Salary Range	Typical Total Comp
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$70,000 - $103,000	$80,000 - $130,000
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$110,000 - $145,000	$140,000 - $200,000
Senior (6-10 years)	$145,000 - $185,000	$200,000 - $300,000
Staff/Principal (10+ years)	$175,000 - $225,000	$280,000 - $400,000+

According to Indeed, the average ML Engineer salary in Canada is $136,530 as of early 2026. Glassdoor reports a slightly lower average of $117,123, with variation based on company size and industry.

ML Engineer Salary by Company Type

Company Type	Base Salary	Total Comp	Equity %
Big Tech (Google, Meta, Amazon)	$140,000 - $200,000	$250,000 - $500,000+	40-50%
Canadian AI Labs (Cohere, Waabi)	$130,000 - $180,000	$200,000 - $350,000	30-40%
Scale-ups (100-500 employees)	$120,000 - $160,000	$160,000 - $250,000	20-30%
Banks & Enterprise	$115,000 - $155,000	$140,000 - $200,000	0-15%
Early-Stage Startups	$100,000 - $140,000	$120,000 - $250,000*	10-40%*

*Startup equity is highly variable and illiquid.

What Do AI Research Scientists Earn?

AI Research Scientists command the highest base salaries in Canada's AI ecosystem, particularly at dedicated research labs.

Research Scientist Compensation

Lab/Company	Median Total Comp	Base Salary	Notes
Borealis AI (RBC)	CA$351,000	$175,000 - $220,000	Top research lab
Layer 6 (TD Bank)	CA$342,000	$170,000 - $210,000	Acquired 2018
Google DeepMind Canada	CA$300,000 - $450,000	$160,000 - $230,000	Elite tier
Mila (Academic)	CA$90,000 - $150,000	Same	Academic salaries
Vector Institute (Academic)	CA$100,000 - $160,000	Same	Plus consulting

The average AI Research Scientist salary in Canada is $132,621 according to Indeed, but this average includes academic positions which pay significantly less than industry.

"The gap between academic and industry research salaries has widened to 3-4x at the senior level. It's the defining challenge for Canadian AI research retention." — Canadian AI compensation researcher

How Much Do Data Scientists Make in Canada?

Data Scientists typically earn less than ML Engineers but still command strong compensation, especially in finance and tech.

Data Scientist Salary by City

City	Average Salary	Median Salary	Top 10%
Vancouver	$107,000	$158,000	$185,000+
Toronto	$105,000	$132,000	$175,000+
Montreal	$95,000	$115,000	$155,000+
Calgary	$98,000	$118,000	$150,000+
Canada Average	$101,915	$132,000	$170,000+

Vancouver's higher median reflects the concentration of senior roles and US-company satellite offices. Toronto has the highest volume of positions but more variation in compensation.

What Is AI Product Manager Compensation?

AI Product Managers bridge technical AI teams and business strategy. Their compensation has risen sharply as companies prioritize AI product development.

Company Type	Base Salary	Total Comp
Big Tech	$130,000 - $180,000	$180,000 - $300,000
AI-First Startups	$120,000 - $160,000	$160,000 - $250,000
Enterprise Tech	$110,000 - $150,000	$140,000 - $200,000
Banks & Finance	$115,000 - $155,000	$150,000 - $210,000

According to Glassdoor, the average AI Product Manager salary in Canada is $100,305. However, at top AI companies like Cohere, Borealis AI reports median PM compensation of CA$207,000.

How Do Salaries Compare by City?

Toronto AI Salaries

Toronto is Canada's largest AI hub with the highest volume of positions and strongest enterprise presence.

Role	Average Salary	Median Total Comp
ML Engineer	$124,000 - $149,000	$175,000 - $280,000
Research Scientist	$135,000 - $180,000	$200,000 - $350,000
Data Scientist	$100,000 - $135,000	$130,000 - $175,000
AI PM	$110,000 - $155,000	$150,000 - $220,000

Key Toronto employers: Cohere, Waabi, Vector Institute, Borealis AI, Layer 6, Google, Meta, NVIDIA, and all five major banks.

Montreal AI Salaries

Montreal offers strong compensation with lower cost of living, making it attractive for quality of life.

Role	Average Salary	Median Total Comp
ML Engineer	$115,000 - $143,000	$150,000 - $230,000
Research Scientist	$120,000 - $165,000	$160,000 - $280,000
Data Scientist	$90,000 - $120,000	$110,000 - $155,000
AI PM	$100,000 - $140,000	$130,000 - $190,000

Key Montreal employers: Mila, Element AI (ServiceNow), Samsung AI, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Ubisoft, and the growing startup ecosystem.

Montreal salaries are projected to grow 4.3% annually through 2027 as the ecosystem matures.

Vancouver AI Salaries

Vancouver benefits from proximity to Seattle and strong US company presence.

Role	Average Salary	Median Total Comp
ML Engineer	$125,000 - $155,000	$170,000 - $290,000
Research Scientist	$130,000 - $175,000	$185,000 - $320,000
Data Scientist	$105,000 - $145,000	$140,000 - $185,000
AI PM	$115,000 - $155,000	$155,000 - $230,000

Key Vancouver employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, D-Wave, Sanctuary AI, 1QBit, and numerous US satellite offices.

Vancouver has the highest per-role compensation but also the highest cost of living among Canadian cities.

What Is Total Compensation at Top Companies?

Big Tech in Canada

Company	Level	Base Salary	Total Comp
Google Canada	L3 (Entry)	$120,000	CA$164,000
Google Canada	L4 (Mid)	$145,000	CA$242,000
Google Canada	L5 (Senior)	$175,000	CA$350,000
Google Canada	L6 (Staff)	$210,000	CA$475,000
Google Canada	L7 (Principal)	$250,000	CA$644,000
Amazon Canada	L5 (Mid)	$135,000	CA$195,000
Meta Canada	E5 (Senior)	$180,000	CA$380,000

Canadian AI Companies

Company	Role	Median Total Comp
Cohere	Software Engineer	CA$208,000
Cohere	Senior ML Engineer	CA$280,000 - $350,000
Waabi	ML Engineer	CA$200,000 - $300,000
Borealis AI	Research Scientist	CA$351,000
Layer 6	Research Scientist	CA$342,000

How Does Equity Affect Compensation?

Equity (stock options or RSUs) can significantly impact total compensation, especially at growing companies.

Equity by Company Stage

Stage	Typical Equity Grant	Vesting	Liquidity Risk
Pre-seed/Seed	0.5% - 2.0%	4 years	Very High
Series A	0.25% - 1.0%	4 years	High
Series B	0.1% - 0.5%	4 years	Medium
Series C+	0.05% - 0.25%	4 years	Lower
Public Company	RSUs ($50K - $200K+)	4 years	None

Key Equity Considerations

Strike Price vs. Current Value: Options granted at early-stage strike prices can be worth significantly more at exit
409A Valuation: Understand the current fair market value of private company stock
Exercise Windows: Post-departure exercise windows range from 90 days to 10 years
Tax Implications: Canadian tax treatment differs for options vs. RSUs

"At a pre-IPO company, a $100K equity grant could be worth $500K or zero. At Google Canada, a $100K RSU grant is worth exactly $100K."

What About Remote AI Salaries?

Remote AI roles in Canada command a 21.9% premium over office-based positions according to compensation data.

Remote Work Salary Impact

Arrangement	Typical Salary Adjustment
Fully Remote (US Company)	+20% to +50%
Fully Remote (Canadian Company)	+10% to +25%
Hybrid (3 days office)	Baseline
Fully In-Office	Baseline to -5%

Many US companies hiring remote Canadian AI talent pay US-calibrated salaries in Canadian dollars, creating compensation packages that exceed local norms by 40-60%.

How Do Entry-Level AI Salaries Compare?

New graduates and career changers entering AI can expect:

Background	Starting Salary	Path to Mid-Level
CS/ML Master's (Top School)	$90,000 - $130,000	2-3 years
CS Bachelor's + Internships	$75,000 - $110,000	3-4 years
Bootcamp/Self-taught	$65,000 - $90,000	4-5 years
PhD (ML/AI)	$120,000 - $180,000	Immediate mid/senior

The University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and McGill produce the highest-compensated new graduates, often with multiple competing offers from big tech and AI startups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average AI salary in Canada?

The average AI salary in Canada ranges from $100,000 to $200,000 depending on role and experience. Machine Learning Engineers average $117,000-$149,000 base salary, while AI Research Scientists at top labs earn $175,000-$220,000 base with total compensation reaching $300,000-$373,000 at places like Borealis AI and Layer 6.

How much do machine learning engineers make in Canada?

Machine Learning Engineers in Canada earn $70,000-$103,000 at entry level, $110,000-$145,000 at mid-level, and $145,000-$225,000 at senior/staff levels. Total compensation including equity can reach $300,000-$400,000+ at top companies like Google Canada, Cohere, and Waabi.

Which Canadian city pays the highest AI salaries?

Vancouver pays the highest per-role AI salaries due to US company satellite offices and proximity to Seattle. However, Toronto has the highest total compensation potential due to elite research labs (Borealis AI, Layer 6) and the concentration of AI startups. Montreal offers strong compensation with significantly lower cost of living.

Do remote AI jobs pay more in Canada?

Yes, remote AI jobs pay approximately 21.9% more than office-based positions in Canada. US companies hiring remote Canadian AI talent often pay US-calibrated salaries, creating compensation packages 40-60% above local market rates.

What is entry-level AI salary in Canada?

Entry-level AI salaries in Canada range from $65,000 to $130,000 depending on education and background. CS/ML Master's graduates from top schools start at $90,000-$130,000, while bootcamp graduates typically start at $65,000-$90,000. PhDs often enter at mid or senior level compensation.

How does AI salary in Canada compare to the US?

Canadian AI salaries are typically 20-40% lower than equivalent US roles when comparing base salary. However, when adjusted for cost of living, universal healthcare, and quality of life, the gap narrows significantly. Toronto and Vancouver salaries have been converging with US rates as competition for talent intensifies.

What equity should I expect at an AI startup?

Equity grants at AI startups range from 0.05% to 2.0% depending on company stage and role seniority. Early-stage (pre-seed to Series A) offers 0.25-2.0%, while later-stage companies offer 0.05-0.25%. Equity typically vests over 4 years with a 1-year cliff.

How fast are AI salaries growing in Canada?

Canadian AI salaries are growing 4-8% annually, with Montreal projected at 4.3% growth through 2027. The competition from US remote employers and well-funded Canadian AI companies like Cohere continues to push compensation upward.