Machine learning (ML) engineers research, design, and develop critical artificial intelligence on data science teams. Whether they’re working on algorithms that power Spotify’s recommendations or creating algorithms that make real-time stock predictions, machine learning engineers are in high demand across many industries. As a result, these professionals are well compensated for their deep knowledge and ability to make profitable decisions.
Learn more about the average salary a Machine Learning Engineer can expect in Canada and how it varies based on experience and location. Next, take a look at the overall employment outlook for machine learning engineers and the top sectors currently hiring them.
What is the average salary for a machine learning engineer?
This position can earn you almost six figures in Canada. According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, the median hourly wage for machine learning engineers is C$44.10, or approximately C$91,728 per year. [1].
Major salary aggregators show average salaries for Machine Learning Engineers ranging from CAD 97,000 to nearly CAD 124,000. Review the data to better understand your earning potential based on estimated total salary. [2, 3, 4].
| surely | Talent.com | glass door |
|---|---|---|
| 118,798 Canadian dollars | 141,000 CAD | 114,451 Canadian dollars |
Many factors affect the average salary for a machine learning engineer, including experience, industry, and geographic location.
Machine learning engineer salary by experience
Experience greatly influences what a machine learning engineer can expect. Generally, the more experience a machine learning engineer has, the more successful they can be in the role. Those in more senior positions can usually expect to earn more.
For example, Glassdoor breaks down average base pay based on experience as follows: [4]:
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Beginner level (0-1 years): $84,847
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Intermediate level (4-6 years): $116,709
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Senior level (10-14 years old): $135,377
machine learning engineer industry
As the value of data increases, so does the value of machine learning engineers who can manipulate it using artificial intelligence. As a result, many industries are hiring machine learning engineers who:
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health care
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transportation
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finance
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retail
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government
Salary for machine learning related jobs
Being a machine learning engineer isn’t the only job opportunity for those with the necessary skill set. According to Glassdoor, there are two base salaries for similar jobs:
Software engineer: $85,253 CAD [5]
Research engineer: $71,330 CAD [6]
Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Location
Salaries typically vary by region. Every location has its own cost of living and market competition, which will inevitably impact a machine learning engineer’s income. Job Bank Canada notes the following median salaries for machine learning engineers across Canada: [1]:
| city | average basic salary |
|---|---|
| nova scotia | 85,030 Canadian dollars |
| Manitoba | 94,286 Canadian dollars |
| british columbia | 93,918 Canadian dollars |
| Ontario | 98,384 Canadian dollars |
| alberta | 94,785 CAD |
| quebec | 94,536 Canadian dollars |
Job prospects for machine learning engineers
As the AI industry continues to grow, the employment outlook for machine learning engineers remains balanced. Job Bank Canada reports that between 2024 and 2033, the number of software engineers and designers seeking employment, including machine learning engineers, will roughly match the number of job openings. During that time, there will be approximately 10,00 new vacancies and approximately 12,300 job seekers will be able to fill them. [7].
Start your machine learning journey with Coursera.
Becoming a machine learning engineer takes time and effort, but once you get the job, you can expect to earn a competitive salary. To start your career in machine learning engineering, consider honing your machine learning expertise by taking relevant online courses on Coursera. Stanford and DeepLearning.AI’s Machine Learning Specialization on Coursera offers a two-month crash course in machine learning.
