Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Scientist in Canada during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Data Scientist salary lies between USD 143,100 and USD 230,000 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. 17, 2024

Salary trend

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Scientist job listings are Python, Machine Learning and Statistics. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 2586 jobs Machine Learning | 2319 jobs Statistics | 2213 jobs SQL | 2077 jobs Engineering | 1924 jobs Computer Science | 1387 jobs R | 1287 jobs Mathematics | 1284 jobs Research | 1226 jobs ML models | 947 jobs Testing | 761 jobs Spark | 696 jobs Data analysis | 680 jobs Tableau | 658 jobs AWS | 646 jobs Deep Learning | 604 jobs PhD | 588 jobs Big Data | 567 jobs Pipelines | 564 jobs Economics | 559 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Scientist 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 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 2154 jobs Health care | 1045 jobs Equity / stock options | 815 jobs Startup environment | 798 jobs Flex hours | 776 jobs Competitive pay | 694 jobs Team events | 671 jobs Flex vacation | 653 jobs Salary bonus | 563 jobs Parental leave | 552 jobs Insurance | 533 jobs Medical leave | 381 jobs Wellness | 369 jobs 401(k) matching | 329 jobs Home office stipend | 260 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 229 jobs Conferences | 144 jobs Fitness / gym | 119 jobs Relocation support | 96 jobs Gear | 91 jobs

Salary Composition

In Canada, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Data Scientist typically includes a mix of base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary often constitutes the largest portion, ranging from 70% to 85% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can make up 5% to 15% 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 bonuses and equity options.

Increasing Salary Further

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

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Data Science Manager or Director of Data Science, which typically offer higher compensation.
• Consulting: Explore opportunities in consulting, where you can leverage your expertise across multiple projects and potentially earn higher fees.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML to remain competitive and justify salary increases.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level or Expert Data Scientist position, a strong educational background is essential. Most candidates hold at least a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or Data Science. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that require advanced research skills or are in cutting-edge areas of AI/ML. Additionally, a solid foundation in programming, statistics, and machine learning is crucial.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate

These certifications can validate your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate for senior roles.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level or Expert Data Scientist is expected to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience in data science or related fields. This experience should include a proven track record of handling complex data projects, leading teams, and delivering impactful insights. Experience in specific industries, such as finance, healthcare, or technology, can also be advantageous, as it demonstrates domain expertise.

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