Working as a programmer and developer in Canada
Programmers and software developers are in high demand in Canada. Learn about salaries and working conditions in the IT sector in Canada.
You will not find a single list of in-demand occupations in Canada that does not include occupations from the IT sector. According to official data, software development and computer services account for almost 90% of Canada's information and communications technology sector. In 2018, more than 652,000 people worked in this sector. And the demand is not diminishing!
There are always jobs for IT people in Canada. The country is home to offices of major IT companies such as Google, Ubisoft, Microsoft, Facebook, EA, Cisco, "related" Shopify, AirBnb, as well as many promising startups. NVIDIA and Samsung have recently opened research labs in Toronto, and Intel has announced plans for a graphics chip development lab.
According to the Canadian government, employees in the IT sector earn 49.4% more than the average worker in other sectors of the Canadian economy.
Toronto deserves the title of Canada's IT hub.Toronto's technology sector is now ahead of similar major North American technology hubs. Toronto is now the third largest market for IT professionals in North America, following San Francisco and Seattle.
IT salaries in Canada
Canada has divided occupations in the IT sector into several groups based on job responsibilities. Salaries are also different for different occupations.
Software developers (engineers), specifically engineers of cloud systems, computer applications and other software, earn on average $88,987 CAD per year or $7,415 CAD per month.
Programmers and developers of interactive systems, namely computer games, applications and other systems, earn on average $69,345 CAD per year or $7,770 per month.
IT people in Canada — what do they do?
IT professionals in Canada have a variety of roles.
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Software developers (engineers):
- collect and document user requirements and develop logical and physical specifications;
- Research, evaluate, and synthesize technical information for the design, development, and testing of computer systems, including mobile applications;
- develop data, process and network models to optimize architecture and evaluate the performance and reliability of designs;
- Evaluate, test, troubleshoot, document, update, and develop maintenance procedures for operating systems, communication environments, and application software;
- as well as perform other duties.
Programmers and developers of interactive systems:
- write, modify, integrate and test the software code;
- maintain existing computer programs by making changes as needed;
- identify and communicate technical problems, processes and solutions;
- prepare reports, manuals and other documentation on the status, operation and maintenance of the software;
- program animation software to specified specifications for interactive video games, the Internet and mobile applications;
- program special effects software for film and video applications;
- write, modify, integrate and test software code for e-commerce, internet and mobile applications;
- as well as perform other duties.
Where programmers and developers work
Many IT professionals in Canada are self-employed. At the same time, you can work for hire in both the private and public sectors.
Specialists in Canada's IT sector work in:
- companies engaged in the development of computer software and information technology;
- consulting and research companies;
- advertising agencies;
- information technology departments in the private and public sectors.
Employment requirements
To work as a software engineer in Canada, the requirements are the most stringent. This in turn is offset by the highest salary among IT professionals. For this position, you will need a bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering or mathematics, or completion of a college program. Experience as a programmer may be required, as well as a master's or doctoral degree in a related discipline.
In addition, a license from the provincial or territorial professional engineers' association is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and work as a professional engineer. Engineers are eligible for provincial registration after completing an education program, three or four years of supervised engineering experience, and passing a professional practice exam.
To be employed as a programmer or interactive systems developer in Canada, you need a bachelor's degree in computer science or another discipline with a significant programming component or completion of a college computer science program. If you want to program engineering and scientific applications, you may need to obtain special education or experience.
Regulatory bodies
Depending on which province or territory you plan to live and work in, you will need to contact the authority that regulates and licenses your profession.
How to immigrate to Canada
If you have experience in the IT sector, you can immigrate to Canada through one of the immigration programs suitable for this profession.
Analysts, programmers, engineers and developers are suitable for many Canadian immigration programs, for example:
- Global Talent Stream
- BC PNP Tech Pilot
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream
To discover more immigration programs suitable for you, click on the name of your profession:
