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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Engineer salary lies between USD 124,000 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: Jan. 19, 2025

Salary trend

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Engineer 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 | 3868 jobs Python | 2906 jobs Engineering | 2829 jobs Computer Science | 2251 jobs ML models | 2097 jobs PyTorch | 1961 jobs TensorFlow | 1808 jobs Pipelines | 1569 jobs Deep Learning | 1564 jobs Research | 1559 jobs AWS | 1375 jobs LLMs | 1365 jobs NLP | 1324 jobs Architecture | 1228 jobs Statistics | 1180 jobs Testing | 1055 jobs Spark | 929 jobs GCP | 864 jobs SQL | 857 jobs PhD | 840 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning 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 | 3422 jobs Health care | 1900 jobs Equity / stock options | 1644 jobs Flex vacation | 1145 jobs Flex hours | 1129 jobs Salary bonus | 1103 jobs Startup environment | 983 jobs Parental leave | 953 jobs Competitive pay | 932 jobs Insurance | 865 jobs Medical leave | 849 jobs Team events | 630 jobs 401(k) matching | 591 jobs Conferences | 470 jobs Flexible spending account | 402 jobs Wellness | 400 jobs Home office stipend | 361 jobs Transparency | 200 jobs Relocation support | 186 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 125 jobs

Salary Composition for Senior-Level Machine Learning Engineers

In Canada, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Machine Learning Engineer 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 base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 60% to 80%. 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 10% to 20% of the total compensation. 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.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Senior-Level Position

To increase your salary further from a senior-level position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand and can command higher salaries.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Machine Learning Team Lead or Director of AI, which typically offer higher compensation.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML. Pursuing advanced certifications or courses can enhance your expertise and marketability.
• Networking and Industry Engagement: Engage with industry professionals through conferences, workshops, and online platforms. Networking can lead to opportunities in higher-paying roles or companies.
• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements for Senior-Level Machine Learning Engineers

Most senior-level machine learning engineering positions require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or Electrical Engineering. 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 strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and computer programming.

Helpful Certifications for Machine Learning Engineers

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate expertise in specific areas of machine learning. Some valuable certifications include:

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

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

Experience Required for Senior-Level Roles

Typically, a senior-level machine learning engineer is expected to have 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 engineers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued. A proven track record of successful machine learning projects and contributions to the field can significantly enhance your candidacy.

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