Research Engineer Salary in Canada during 2024

Salary details

The average Research Engineer salary lies between USD 122,000 and USD 215,000 in Canada. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 24, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Research Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Research Engineer job listings are Research, Engineering and Machine Learning. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Research | 1142 jobs Engineering | 865 jobs Machine Learning | 823 jobs Python | 757 jobs Computer Science | 618 jobs PyTorch | 445 jobs PhD | 395 jobs Deep Learning | 391 jobs LLMs | 331 jobs Architecture | 315 jobs TensorFlow | 312 jobs NLP | 267 jobs Security | 245 jobs ML models | 237 jobs Statistics | 231 jobs Testing | 230 jobs Computer Vision | 220 jobs R | 219 jobs Privacy | 215 jobs Pipelines | 211 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Research Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Research Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Equity / stock options. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 871 jobs Health care | 476 jobs Equity / stock options | 382 jobs Conferences | 251 jobs Flex hours | 249 jobs Startup environment | 243 jobs Competitive pay | 204 jobs Flex vacation | 201 jobs Salary bonus | 197 jobs Insurance | 175 jobs Parental leave | 170 jobs Medical leave | 165 jobs Team events | 162 jobs Relocation support | 141 jobs 401(k) matching | 116 jobs Wellness | 80 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 62 jobs Flexible spending account | 41 jobs Lunch / meals | 39 jobs Home office stipend | 37 jobs

Salary Composition

In Canada, the salary composition for a Research Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s policy and individual performance, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration like stock options is more common in larger tech companies or startups, where they are used as an incentive to align employee interests with company growth. The composition can also vary by region, with tech hubs like Toronto and Vancouver offering more competitive packages compared to smaller cities.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median level, consider pursuing advanced roles such as Senior Research Engineer or transitioning into managerial positions like AI/ML Team Lead. Specializing in high-demand areas such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision can also make you more valuable. Additionally, gaining experience in a specific industry, such as healthcare or finance, where AI/ML applications are rapidly growing, can lead to higher compensation. Networking and building a strong professional presence through conferences, publications, and collaborations can also open doors to higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most Research Engineer positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a Master’s degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Data Science, or Electrical Engineering. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles focused on cutting-edge research and development. The educational background should include a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and programming, with coursework or research experience in machine learning and data analysis.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certificates can enhance your profile and demonstrate expertise. Certifications from recognized institutions like the Certified Data Scientist (CDS) or the TensorFlow Developer Certificate can be beneficial. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer specialized courses and certifications in AI and machine learning that can also add value to your resume.

Required Experience

Typically, employers look for candidates with at least 3-5 years of experience in AI/ML or data science roles. Experience in research and development, particularly in applying machine learning algorithms to real-world problems, is highly valued. Experience with programming languages such as Python, R, and frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch is often required. Experience in publishing research papers or contributing to open-source projects can also be advantageous.

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