Data Engineer
Build the data pipelines and infrastructure that fuel data science and AI.
Data Engineer Salary in Canada
Data Engineers in Canada earn about $90,000 at entry level and around $170,000+ in senior roles.
- Entry level: $90,000
- Senior level: $170,000+
Slightly less heavily marketed than Data Science, but often higher demand.
About the Career
Companies cannot do AI without clean, accessible data, so Data Engineers are critical - but entry-level tech hiring has tightened, especially in Ontario and Quebec.
Job Outlook
High Growth demand. Companies cannot do AI without clean, accessible data, so Data Engineers are critical - but entry-level tech hiring has tightened, especially in Ontario and Quebec.
How to Get There
- 4-yr CS or Software Engineering degree
- Time to career: 4-5 years post-Grade 12
Degrees That Lead Here
- Computer Science – high 80s to high 90s depending on school
- Software Engineering – high 90s at Waterloo; high 80s to low 90s elsewhere
- Data Science – mid 80s to low 90s depending on school and entry route
Key Skills
- Data Pipeline Design
- SQL & Python
- Cloud Data Platforms
- ETL/ELT Processes
- Data Warehousing
Typical Employers
- Tech companies
- Banks & insurers
- E-commerce & retail
- Healthcare & pharma
- Consulting firms
High School Roadmap
- Learn basic SQL.
- Learn Python and data manipulation.
- Build projects that scrape data from the web and store it in a database.
- Apply to CS programs. Gain familiarity with cloud concepts.
Top Universities for This Path
- University of Waterloo – Waterloo, ON
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
- McGill University – Montreal, QC
- Simon Fraser University – Burnaby, BC
Insider Tips
- SQL and Python are the absolute core of this profession.
- Focuses more on software engineering and systems than statistical modeling.
- Data engineers often transition into data science or machine learning engineering as they gain experience.