Salary for Senior-level / Expert Applied Scientist in Canada during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Applied Scientist salary lies between USD 120,000 and USD 210,000 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. 10, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Applied Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Applied Scientist job listings are Machine Learning, Python and Engineering. 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:

Machine Learning | 658 jobs Python | 542 jobs Engineering | 537 jobs Deep Learning | 489 jobs Statistics | 448 jobs ML models | 430 jobs LLMs | 420 jobs Research | 419 jobs Computer Science | 318 jobs PhD | 274 jobs SQL | 254 jobs AWS | 245 jobs Testing | 238 jobs NLP | 209 jobs Docker | 196 jobs Git | 195 jobs Kubernetes | 194 jobs TensorFlow | 188 jobs GCP | 187 jobs Generative AI | 187 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Applied Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Applied Scientist job listings are Career development, Equity / stock options 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 | 635 jobs Equity / stock options | 362 jobs Startup environment | 295 jobs Competitive pay | 229 jobs Salary bonus | 217 jobs Health care | 201 jobs Conferences | 201 jobs Medical leave | 199 jobs Flex hours | 152 jobs Parental leave | 125 jobs Flex vacation | 115 jobs Team events | 115 jobs Insurance | 82 jobs 401(k) matching | 59 jobs Flexible spending account | 57 jobs Relocation support | 27 jobs Fitness / gym | 26 jobs Transparency | 20 jobs Fertility benefits | 19 jobs Yoga | 18 jobs

Salary Composition

In Canada, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Applied Scientist in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The fixed base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 60% to 80%. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual contributions, usually making up 10% to 20% of the total package. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can be a significant part of the compensation in larger tech firms or startups, potentially accounting for 10% to 20% of the total package. The exact composition can vary based on the region, with tech hubs like Toronto and Vancouver offering more competitive packages, and the industry, with finance and tech sectors typically offering higher compensation. Company size also plays a role, with larger companies often providing more comprehensive benefits and stock options.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 165,000, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning, which can command higher salaries.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Lead Data Scientist or AI/ML Manager, which typically offer higher compensation.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML through courses, workshops, and conferences.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network in the AI/ML community, which can lead to higher-paying opportunities.
• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during job offers or performance reviews.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level or Expert Applied Scientist role, a strong educational background is essential. Most positions require at least a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or Mathematics. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve research and development of new algorithms or technologies. The educational background should include a solid foundation in machine learning, data analysis, and programming.

Helpful Certificates

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

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS): Validates your skills in data science and analytics.
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate: Demonstrates proficiency in using TensorFlow for machine learning and deep learning tasks.
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Shows expertise in building, training, and deploying machine learning models on the AWS platform.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate: Highlights your ability to use Azure services for AI solutions.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level or Expert Applied Scientist role requires at least 5 to 10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior team members, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued. A proven track record of successful projects and publications in reputable journals or conferences can be advantageous.

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