Official national median hourly wage: CA$56.49 an hour for Software engineers and designers (NOC 2021 21231).
Source: ESDC Job Bank (2023-2024). Observed figure, published 2023-2024.
For context, the SalaryByRole job-title median is US$110,295 a year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is CAD). FX as of Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Software Engineers in Canada earn a national median of CA$154,000 (CA$12,800 a month, roughly CA$74 an hour on a 2,080-hour year).
The closest technology peer is data scientist at CA$165,000, so a software engineer earns 6.7% less at the national median in Canada.
The closest official occupation is Software engineers and designers (NOC 2021 21231). In 2023-2024 its national median hourly wage was CA$56.49 an hour.
8 provinces and territories have a published figure. British Columbia is highest at CA$62.50 (+11% vs national) and Manitoba lowest at CA$46.15, a 1.35× gap.
1 of the 8 pay above the national median hourly wage; the next highest after British Columbia are Ontario (CA$56.73) and Quebec (CA$53.60).
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage Observed | CA$56.49 |
| Average hourly wage Observed | CA$60.57 |
| Low hourly wage (usually the 10th percentile) Observed | CA$35.00 |
| First-quartile hourly wage Observed | CA$43.75 |
| Third-quartile hourly wage Observed | CA$72.12 |
| High hourly wage (usually the 90th percentile) Observed | CA$91.35 |
| # | Province | Median hourly wage | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | British Columbia | CA$62.50 | +11% |
| 2 | Ontario | CA$56.73 | 0% |
| 3 | Quebec | CA$53.60 | -5% |
| 4 | New Brunswick | CA$52.88 | -6% |
| 5 | Nova Scotia | CA$52.50 | -7% |
| 6 | Alberta | CA$51.92 | -8% |
| 7 | Saskatchewan | CA$50.48 | -11% |
| 8 | Manitoba | CA$46.15 | -18% |
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages by occupation (NOC 2021) and region, 2023-2024 Labour Force Survey estimates (open.canada.ca, revised 2025-11-19) (Open Government Licence – Canada). Figures are copied from the published table without adjustment; ranks and percentage differences are calculated by us. Methodology
Canada is 3rd of 16 countries for this role once medians are converted at the same exchange rate (US$110,300). Switzerland pays 18% more (CA$181,188 at today's rate) and Australia pays 2% less (CA$151,166).
That median is about 2× GDP per person (US$55,700, World Bank 2025). That is a rough sign of how far the role pays above the average national income.
| # | Country | Median (USD) | In CAD | vs Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |  Switzerland | US$129,800 | CA$181,188 | +18% |
| 3 |  Canada | US$110,300 | CA$154,000 | — |
| 4 |  Australia | US$108,300 | CA$151,166 | -2% |
If a remote employer paid the U.S. median for the same job (US$136,000), that would be about CA$189,891, 1.23× the local median.
Our simplified income-tax model for Canada leaves about CA$127,261 a year from the CA$154,000 median, CA$10,605 a month at a 17% effective rate. Canada federal income tax only; excludes provincial tax and CPP/EI.
Consumer prices in Canada rose 2.1% in 2025 (World Bank). Matching that on the CA$154,000 median takes a raise of about CA$3,234.
Unemployment was 6.9% of the labour force in 2025.
Canada has 31 public holidays in 2026 (Nager.Date); at the median, one working day is worth about CA$592 before tax.
Figures are estimates, updated 2026-11-01. See our methodology for sources and limitations.