Salary for Senior-level / Expert Backend Engineer in Canada during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Backend Engineer salary lies between USD 105,000 and USD 180,000 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. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Backend Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Backend Engineer job listings are Python, 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:

Python | 254 jobs Engineering | 240 jobs Machine Learning | 217 jobs APIs | 189 jobs AWS | 177 jobs Architecture | 172 jobs Kubernetes | 160 jobs Computer Science | 139 jobs Docker | 133 jobs Java | 124 jobs Pipelines | 121 jobs PostgreSQL | 106 jobs Security | 103 jobs GCP | 102 jobs Testing | 87 jobs Microservices | 81 jobs CI/CD | 81 jobs ML models | 78 jobs Research | 77 jobs LLMs | 77 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Backend Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Backend 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 | 222 jobs Health care | 129 jobs Equity / stock options | 122 jobs Startup environment | 122 jobs Flex hours | 102 jobs Competitive pay | 94 jobs Flex vacation | 71 jobs Team events | 68 jobs Parental leave | 65 jobs Insurance | 55 jobs Salary bonus | 54 jobs Medical leave | 45 jobs Home office stipend | 38 jobs Wellness | 30 jobs 401(k) matching | 21 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 20 jobs Gear | 18 jobs Transparency | 15 jobs Fitness / gym | 9 jobs Conferences | 9 jobs

Salary Composition

In Canada, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Backend Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies or startups. The base salary is often the largest component, accounting for approximately 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s performance and individual contributions, usually ranging from 10-20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech firms or startups and can be a significant part of the total compensation, especially if the company is publicly traded or has a high growth potential.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider the following steps:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in the latest AI/ML technologies and backend frameworks. Specializing in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or cloud computing can make you more valuable.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Technical Lead or Engineering Manager, which typically offer higher salaries.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network within the industry. Attend conferences, workshops, and meetups to connect with industry leaders and peers.
• Negotiation: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during performance reviews or when switching jobs.
• Certifications: Obtain advanced certifications that are recognized in the industry to validate your expertise and potentially command a higher salary.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. However, a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a specialized area of AI/ML can be highly advantageous and is often preferred by top-tier companies. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of complex algorithms and data structures, which are crucial for high-level problem-solving in AI/ML.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credibility and expertise in the field:

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications demonstrate a validated level of expertise and commitment to staying current with industry standards and technologies.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Backend Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in software development, with a significant portion of that time spent working on AI/ML projects. Experience in designing and implementing scalable backend systems, proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or C++, and familiarity with AI/ML frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch are often required.

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