Salary for Executive-level / Director Data Engineer in Canada during 2024

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Data Engineer salary lies between USD 105,452 and USD 314,000 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: Dec. 15, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Executive-level / Director Data Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with executive-level / director Data Engineer job listings are Engineering, Architecture and SQL. 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:

Engineering | 400 jobs Architecture | 252 jobs SQL | 246 jobs Pipelines | 242 jobs Python | 238 jobs Computer Science | 228 jobs AWS | 202 jobs Security | 198 jobs ETL | 191 jobs Data pipelines | 185 jobs Spark | 163 jobs Agile | 161 jobs Big Data | 155 jobs Data quality | 141 jobs Java | 139 jobs Machine Learning | 131 jobs Azure | 129 jobs Data management | 127 jobs Data governance | 124 jobs Privacy | 122 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Executive-level / Director Data Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with executive-level / director Data Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Startup environment. 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 | 332 jobs Health care | 181 jobs Startup environment | 123 jobs Flex hours | 112 jobs Flex vacation | 100 jobs Equity / stock options | 92 jobs Salary bonus | 89 jobs Insurance | 84 jobs Competitive pay | 73 jobs Wellness | 71 jobs Parental leave | 70 jobs Medical leave | 67 jobs Team events | 61 jobs 401(k) matching | 41 jobs Travel | 12 jobs Transparency | 11 jobs Home office stipend | 10 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 9 jobs Gear | 8 jobs Flexible spending account | 6 jobs

Salary Composition

In Canada, the salary composition for an Executive-level or Director Data Engineer can vary significantly based on region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary package is divided into three main components: base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits.

• Base Salary: This is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. In larger cities like Toronto or Vancouver, the base salary might be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job market.

• Bonuses: Performance-based bonuses are common and can vary widely. They are often tied to individual performance, team success, or company profitability. In tech-heavy industries, bonuses might be more substantial compared to traditional sectors.

• Additional Remuneration: This can include stock options, especially in tech startups or publicly traded companies, as well as benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and other perks. Larger companies might offer more comprehensive benefits packages.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median level, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in emerging technologies and methodologies in AI/ML and data engineering. Specializing in niche areas can make you more valuable.

• Leadership Roles: Seek opportunities to lead larger teams or projects. Demonstrating leadership capabilities can position you for higher-level roles with increased compensation.

• Networking: Build a strong professional network within the industry. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and provide insights into higher-paying roles.

• Industry Transition: Consider transitioning to industries known for higher pay scales, such as finance or tech, if you are not already in one.

Educational Requirements

For an Executive-level or Director Data Engineer position, a strong educational background is often required. Most candidates hold at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or even a Ph.D. can be advantageous, particularly in competitive markets or for roles with a strong focus on research and development.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your expertise:

• Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)
• Google Professional Data Engineer
• AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate

These certifications can validate your skills and knowledge in specific platforms and tools, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, candidates for this role have extensive experience in data engineering, often 10+ years, with a significant portion in leadership or managerial positions. Experience in designing and implementing large-scale data architectures, managing data teams, and working with advanced data technologies is crucial. Experience in a specific industry can also be beneficial, as it provides domain-specific insights.

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