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As we've heard over the last year, Canada faces major labor shortages across sectors. This is largely due to the country's percentage of retirees. The Canadian tech industry is in the same boat, and as its growth remains rapid, tech employers are left with little choice but to hire tech talent from abroad. So if you're looking for software developer jobs in Canada, the door to great opportunities is wide open. As with all tech jobs in Canada, software developer jobs come with an attractive salary, which makes this a top occupation in the Great White North. Let's look at the best provinces for Software developer jobs in Canada.
Canada as a Tech Hub
Canada's tech space continues to boom, even earning the nickname "Silicon Valley North." This is partly due to many global tech giants increasing their presence here. Also to be credited is the huge spike in tech startups across the country.
According to Global brokerage house CBRE's latest Canadian Tech Talent Report, Ontario's capital city, Toronto, added 88,900 tech jobs over a period stretching from 2016 and 2021. Other cities like Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary also showed great promise when it came to employment in this sector. The tech talent professions that added the most jobs in Canada were software developers (54,300 jobs) and computer support workers (18,700 jobs).
Apart from the issue of a sizeable retiring workforce, Canada's shortage of software developers can also be attributed to the fact that it lost many tech graduates to Silicon Valley in the United States. This opens up an excellent opportunity for skilled foreign workers to apply for tech jobs in Canada.
Software Developer Jobs in Canada
Software developers, which fall under the National Occupational Classification code (NOC) 21232, have various employment options in Canada. It is, however, important to note that the availability of jobs largely depends on the shortfall within the region. To help navigate this process, let's look at the best provinces for software developer jobs in the Great White North.
While the numbers are constantly changing, it's still safe to say that there are many software developer jobs across Canada. Before you make your move, though, it would be wise to find out where the most concentrated areas for opportunities are. The Canadian provinces below have the biggest software engineer talent pools in Canada.
Ontario
Ontario has consistently had the fastest-growing tech sector of any North American city for the past few years. And with years of investment from universities in the province, government, and corporate heads, coupled with liberal immigration policies, Toronto has become the third-largest tech hub in Northern America. This city has no shortage of tech jobs, with software developers on the in-demand list of occupations. According to the CBRE report, there are around 109,200 software developers in Toronto alone and 27,000 in Ottawa.
Software developers in Ontario mainly work in:
- Computer systems design
- Informatics and culture
- Finance
- Federal government
British Columbia
The province of British Columbia has experienced a huge growth spurt over the last few years. This comes as the city of Vancouver has developed into an emerging tech hub over the last few years, given somewhat of a boost as Amazon and Shopify set up in the region. These two tech giants, along with others like Microsoft, make British Columbia a great province for software developers looking for opportunities. According to the CBRE report, there are 52,600 software developers in Vancouver alone.
Software developers in British Columbia mainly work in:
- Computer systems design
- Informatics and culture
Quebec
If you can comfortably engage in French, Quebec is ideal to settle as a software developer. Montreal is said to be a top city for tech jobs, while Gatineau also has great opportunities for tech roles. According to the CBRE report, there are around 46,500 software developer jobs in Montreal and 8,700 in Quebec City.
Software developers in Quebec mainly work in:
- Computer systems design
- Informatics and culture
- Finance
- Insurance
- Property
- Various other scientific and tech services
Alberta
If snow for more than half the year sounds fun, you'll find a surprisingly great tech space in Calgary, Alberta. The city's innovation ecosystem results in numerous tech startups across sectors. This is evident in industries like energy, agriculture, and most recently, fintech. Major tech companies with possible opportunities for software developers could include Morgan Stanley, the University of Calgary, and Cisco. According to the CBRE report, around 8,700 software developers work in Calgary and 8,400 in Edmonton.
Software developers in Alberta mainly work in:
- Computer systems design
- Informatics and culture
Saskatchewan
In 2021, it was reported that Saskatoon’s (Saskatchewan's Capital) tech firms had raised millions of dollars and planned to undertake an employment drive. The concern, however, was the availability of tech talent - rather the lack thereof. This instance confirms that opportunities could be plenty for foreign software developers in this region. Around 2,700 workers are employed in this profession
Software developers in Saskatchewan mainly work in:
- Computer systems design
- Informatics and culture
- Insurance
- Academia
- Provincial government
Manitoba
Winnipeg's talent and low cost of living have made it one of the best tech spaces - so much so that CBRE pinned it as one of North America's next 25 up-and-coming tech contenders. In terms of employment, Manitoba's software development ecosystem has seen steady growth since 2005, starting with roughly 2500 jobs in 2005 and almost doubling in the last few years. Around 3,300 people are employed in this field here.
Software developers in Manitoba mainly work in:
- Computer systems design
- Insurance
- Informatics and culture
- Provincial government
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is traditionally known for primary resource industries. But with a large portion of its citizens aging and ultimately retiring, coupled with Canada's immigration policies, there has been somewhat of a transformation. It is now home to several fledgling tech startups and firms. Experts believe the province's capital city, Halifax's expanding tech ecosystem is the epicenter of a digital shift set to develop Nova Scotia into a hot tech hub. The province should, therefore, not be overlooked if you're putting your feelers out for a software developer job in Canada. About 3,200 people are employed in this profession in this province.
Software developers in Nova Scotia mainly work in:
- Developers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Computer systems design
- Informatics and culture
New Brunswick
New Brunswick has become popular with some of the world's top Information and Communications Technology (ICT) corporations. Set in an idyllic spot between Europe and the Americas, this province has become a central hub for big tech guns like Xerox, IBM, Tech Mahindra, HCL Technologies, and many more. Around 2,300 people work in this occupation.
Software developers in New Brunswick mainly work in:
- Computer systems design
- Provincial government
- Information and culture
- Wholesale retail
How Much Can I Earn as a Software Developer in Canada?
Working as a software developer in Canada is quite rewarding, not only because you'll work in a space where things evolve all the time but also because salaries for this profession are more than decent. According to hiring experts, Talent.com, software developers in Canada can expect to earn an average of around 116,794 CAD per annum. A junior software developer is likely to earn 77,178 CAD per annum, while senior developers can take home as much as 162,772 CAD each year.
What Qualifications Would I Need as a Software Developer?
To become a Software developer you'll have to obtain a Computer Science or Computer Programming degree. Most colleges and universities offer specific software development or software engineering courses. Having a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects is also considered a great foundation for a career in software development.
Earn a Tech Degree in Canada
If you are planning your university degree, you should note that this profession is in demand in Canada. Software developers and programmers design, write, and test coding for new systems and software to ensure everything is correct. These tech professionals establish solid foundations for operative systems and carry out diagnostic programs.
You'll find developers working in computer software, computer and video game development companies, and IT firms and units in both the private and public sectors. =Check out the top universities in Canada and start planning your move to Canada to earn a world-class Canadian tech degree.
Take Your Software Developer Career to the Next Level in Canada
Now that you know more about your software developer career prospects in Canada, it's time to start exploring the best options to get you there. You can also start testing the job market for yourself by applying for that dream job in Canada. Don't forget to conduct thorough research on all the provinces to find the perfect fit for your area of expertise and check out where the best-paying software developer jobs in Canada are. Once 100% sure, start your journey to a great career in the Great White North.
FAQs
I’d Like to Work as a Software Developer in Canada, But I’m Not Sure I want to Settle There Permanently, Yet. What Are My Options?
Tech employers who choose to hire foreign talent have a number of temporary work permit options available to them. These programs allow them to quickly hire the professionals needed for their businesses to function.
The Global Talent Stream (GTS)is popular with the technology sector and aims for a speedy processing time of two weeks, as soon as a final application is submitted. The pathway serves as a temporary work permit and could eventually be a bridge to obtaining permanent residency, when you decide that this is what you would like. GTS is part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), so before appointing a foreign skilled worker in a tech job in Canada, an employer will first have to get a neutral or positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to qualify.
An employer hiring tech talent from North America could qualify for the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which is also a temporary work permit. This agreement is divided into two categories relevant to tech workers. There are 63 occupations that are eligible for CUSMA via the professionals category. Prominent tech occupations such as systems analysts and software developers may qualify. You can also apply via Intra-Company transfers (ICTs) if you're an employee of a multinational company wanting to transfer to a department in Canada.
What Are the Pathways to Permanent Residency in Canada?
Instead of going the temporary work permit route, you may want to cement your status and become a Canadian permanent resident. The most common option for skilled tech workers who want to move to Canada to do this is via the Express Entry system or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
As a tech worker, you could qualify for one of the below Canada's provincial streams:
