Presently, the Canadian tech sector is booming nationally as well as in the global market. It is well-known for its skilled workforce and innovation. Besides this, it has emerged as a major participant in a variety of tech fields, such as AI, telecommunication, software development, and clean technology. Canada offers a wide range of IT work prospects and has an increasing demand for workers skilled in the tech sector. Thus, new immigrants seeking possibilities in Canada’s tech sector have a greater opportunity for a rewarding and wealthy career. Discover the top-paying IT professions in Canada to make an informed decision.

Canada’s IT sector is on a Boom

The demand for IT professionals is rising in Canada due to its vast tech landscape, welcoming environment, and greater growth opportunities. 

With plenty of research institutions, multinational enterprises, and start-ups, Canadian cities like Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto have become major hubs for tech revolutions. 

In particular, Canada has garnered a worldwide reputation for its expertise in artificial intelligence. Also, with numerous research centers and institutions, the nation is making substantial contributions to advances in deep learning and machine learning. 

The immigration department of Canada, called IRCC or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, has begun conducting category-based draws for Express Entry candidates. This includes six categories, including the tech profession focused on specific abilities or work experience in the following fields. These are:

1. French language proficiency
2. STEM or Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professions
3. Healthcare professions
4. Trades occupations
5. Transport professions
6. Agriculture/Agri-food occupations

The IRCC department intends to put a greater emphasis on attracting STEM professionals. 

More specifically, under Express Entry, around 28 to 31 % of invitations are projected to go to individuals with recent work experience in specific STEM professions like data scientists, software developers, etc.   

Moreover, it’s notable that software engineers were among the top five occupations to receive invitations under the FSWP or Federal Skilled Worker Program, the CEC or Canadian Experience Class, and the Provincial Nominee Program.

Top-Paying IT Professions in Canada 

Recently, a top multinational recruitment company-Randstad published an article concerning top-paying IT professions in Canada with the title ‘IT roles that pay $100k a year or more.’

The report highlighted that the average yearly salary for an IT professional in Canada is roughly $87,300. And around 10% of top IT experts enjoy an annual average wage of about $123,250.

The following are the higher-paying IT jobs in Canada that typically offer more than $100,000 yearly.

Software Project Manager

One of the notable top-paying IT professions in Canada includes software project managers. 

IT professionals who supervise, plan, and execute software development projects are called Software Project Managers.

They need to collaborate with other teams, such as designers, quality assurance professionals, software engineers, and stakeholders, to manage the projects effectively.

They also make certain that the projects are finished in a timely manner in accordance with the budget and defined functionality and quality guidelines.

The salaries of software project managers in Canada differ greatly depending on the level of experience, location, and industry. 

As the demand for skilled project managers in Canada’s IT sector is rising, the starting wages for these professionals are over $100,000 per year. 

Also, software project managers with considerable qualifications and experience can make an attractive yearly income of over $170,000.

Linux/Unix Administrator

Nowadays, individuals skilled in Linux/Unix administration are in great demand across the world. This is because multiple corporations rely on this platform to execute their everyday tasks, making it a valuable IT specialization.

Professionals skilled in Linux or Unix administration typically design, operate, and maintain operating system parameters and settings, as well as oversee system performance. 

The Unix or Linux administrators in Canada can make between $90,000 to $120,000 annually. 

However, with the rising popularity of Linux, it’s projected that these IT professions will become even more common in the future, making them a viable career path. 

Cloud Architect

Recently, cloud architects have emerged as major experts in cloud infrastructure, responsible for planning, designing, and building a dependable cloud computing environment. 

The job role necessitates skilled employees with technical abilities as well as an understanding of how various technologies interact and collaborate to deliver solutions effectively. 

Cloud architects in Canada typically earn between $106,000 to $140,000 per year. Also, these jobs additionally come with additional advantages such as bonuses and several types of compensation.

Data Scientists 

Data scientists are also among the top-paying IT professions in Canada. They are also called data analysts, according to their work and the organization for which they work.

These IT experts typically accumulate, examine, and handle large amounts of structured and unstructured data. Their duties usually include the following: 

• Assessing data relevancy for specific queries or tasks.
• Developing strategies for storing and using larger amounts of data.
• Recognizing patterns and trends that can help guide technical or business processes. 
• Leveraging visual tools such as graphs and charts to deliver critical information to stakeholders.

In Canada, data scientists with a bachelor’s degree and work experience of more than five years may earn wages of $100,000 or more annually.

PMO Lead

A PMO Lead or Project Management Office Lead is a major position in an organization. They manage and improve project management procedures and strategies.

Professionals in this IT profession supply guidance and leadership to project managers and their teams. This guarantees that projects are completed efficiently and as per the strategic goals of the organization.

Typically, PMP leads have vast work experience in project management and may have PMP (Project Management Professional) certifications. They work with senior administration, making significant contributions to resource allocation, risk assessment, project portfolio management, and reporting. 

Salaries for PMO Leads in Canada vary greatly. The pay starts at more than $120,000 annually. A PMO lead with extensive experience and a proven success record may earn wages of $200,000 or more annually.

Infrastructure Project Manager 

Infrastructure project managers manage the development and construction projects. They make certain that projects are finished on time in accordance with the safety and legal guidelines within the budget.

These managers are in charge of planning, implementing, and successfully completing infrastructure projects, including bridges, roads, utilities, buildings, and other critical components of the community’s infrastructure.

In Canada, infrastructure project managers’ annual wages vary depending on factors like project size, location, and the manager’s experience.

However, IP professionals in this field typically earn attractive salaries, starting at $100,000 or more yearly. Moreover, for infrastructure project managers with extensive experience, it’s possible to make a handsome wage of $190,000 or more per year.

IT Manager

Managers typically supervise teams or departments of technical workers. These may include experts in networking, help desk specialists, or information systems. Strong communication and leadership skills are the keys managers typically require to manage teams effectively. 

In Canada, wages for IT managers vary depending on various factors, such as the team’s domain, size, and organization. Generally, bigger organizations offer higher salaries. Professionals in certain job positions may earn more than $100,000 per year.

What are the Qualifications and skill requirements for IT professions in Canada?

Top-paying IT professions in Canada often require candidates to have educational qualifications, work experience, and some sort of certification. However, particular requirements for the IT profession may vary in accordance with the job role and the corporation.

The minimum educational requirement for the IT profession often requires a bachelor’s degree in fields such as information technology, computer science, or relevant fields. However, specific jobs like leadership and management positions in the IT sector may need a master’s degree. 

Besides this educational requirement, relevant work experience is also needed. For instance, most top-paying IT professions in Canada demand experience of several years in related job roles. 

If you can prove your skills and success in your career achievements, such as project management and leading teams, it will help you secure positions with higher pay. Also, having knowledge and understanding of a particular technology may also showcase your abilities. 

In the IT sector, there are several industry-recognized certificates that might greatly improve your chances of securing a job. Some of these are as follows:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): This majorly concerns cybersecurity.
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP): This is particularly important for network professionals.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect: This certificate is vital for cloud architects.

How can you easily find IT jobs in Canada?

IT job seekers can find a wealth of platforms and services in Canada that can help them find tech-related jobs easily. Some of the popular options for online job portals include LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. These platforms have a wide section of IT jobs offered by businesses across Canada.

Moreover, Dice Canada and Workpolis are specialized IT job boards in Canada that provide a multitude of job opportunities for individuals skilled in tech professions. 

Furthermore, In the Canadian job market, networking is extremely important. Professional corporations such as the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) and platforms like Meetup allow IT job searchers to connect with potential employers and industry professionals. 

Ultimately, in-person and virtual career fairs provide significant possibilities to connect directly with hiring managers and recruiters.

In major Canadian cities like Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto, you can also look at the career pages of large tech organizations to find potential jobs in the tech sector. These cities are the major hubs for Canada’s IT sector.

All these platforms can facilitate your job search in Canada and may even allow you to land one of the top-paying IT professions in Canada, depending on your abilities.