Explore computer engineer salaries and the factors that affect them, including education and experience.
Computer engineering can provide a rewarding career if you enjoy math, physics, computer science, electricity, and electronics. Jobs as a web developer, software engineer, electronics engineer, or computer programmer are among the many options.听
Your salary depends on several factors, such as education, experience, and the industry. You鈥檒l find opportunities in telecommunications, aerospace, government agencies, and many others.
Depending on the field of computer engineering you work in, you may be designing and testing software or hardware systems or working with other computer system professionals to develop information security systems.听听
With plentiful options in this growing field, including opportunities with some of the top tech employers and in the best locations, finding a job as a computer engineer is a popular choice. Explore how much you can make as a computer engineer and how factors like education, experience, location, and where you work impact what you earn.
According to the Government of Canada鈥檚 Job Bank, the median hourly wage for a computer engineer is $46.63 CAD, roughly $96,990 CAD annually []. However, the average base salary for a computer engineer may range from about $76,000 CAD to $99,000 CAD, according to three salary aggregate websites. You can explore how the data breaks down [, , ]:
Talent | Glassdoor | Payscale |
---|---|---|
$99,519 CAD | $79,474 CAD | $75,883 CAD |
Additional pay insights may include profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses. The Government of Canada Job Bank predicts that the job outlook for computer engineers will remain mixed, with more available workers seeking employment than available jobs.听
The salary you can expect to earn depends on your work field. Your level of education and experience will affect your earnings, industry, and location. Additional certifications and specializations can increase your earning potential, and if you are enrolled in a degree program, you may find an internship opportunity.听
Job Bank Canada reports that a bachelor's degree is typically required to become a computer engineer and some employers require a master's degree. Most hardware engineers study computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering. Earning a more advanced degree may help you qualify for jobs with higher salaries.
According to Statistics Canada鈥檚 most recent data, the average salary in computer and information sciences is more than $2,000 CAD higher for a master鈥檚 degree holder than a bachelor鈥檚 degree ($79,100 CAD vs $81,400 CAD)[].
You can seek certifications or improve your skills as a stepping-stone to further education or to enter the field. If you鈥檙e already working in a computer engineering position, certifications can help advance your career.听
Vendor certifications can increase your knowledge and skills and enhance your resume if you鈥檙e seeking a career as a computer engineer or want to advance in your current position. Some certifications include:
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Payscale also offers insight into how different skills can affect how much you earn []:
听
MuleSoft Mule ESB: 27 per cent higher
Google Cloud Platform (GCP): 25 per cent higher
Software Development: 23 per cent higher
React Native: 13 per cent higher
Spring: 13 per cent higher
Cloud Computing: 10 per cent higher
Ruby on Rails: 9 per cent higher
Go (Golang) Programming Language: 9 per cent higher
Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations (XSLT): 9 per cent higher
Microsoft SQL Server: 11 per cent higher
Entering the field of computer engineering typically requires a degree, preferably a minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or a closely related field. However, even if you鈥檙e not able to earn a degree right away, experience gained through an internship or cooperative education (co-op) benefits your career search.听
A co-op allows students to take their regular studies and work at a full-time paid job in their field of study. Participating in a Co-op can offer you hands-on experience to add to your resume, and some schools also offer college credit.
You may also be able to apply for internships to add to your resume. Attending career recruitments can lead you to job opportunities that can provide you with experience to advance your career.听听
As you gain experience, you will likely earn more money. Consider Payscale鈥檚 total salary breakdown based on years of experience []:听
Less than 1 year of experience: $61,433 CAD
1鈥4: $72,094 CAD
5鈥9: $83,857 CAD
10鈥19: $91,503 CAD
20+: $100,650 CAD
Another variable that can change how much you earn as a computer engineer is what company you work for. Typically, large corporations have higher earnings and benefits that a small company might not be able to offer. Glassdoor offers more insight into how your salary will vary at different employers []:听
Toronto Metropolitan University: $70,000 CAD鈥$75,000 CAD
IBM: $52,000 CAD鈥$85,000 CAD
Amazon: $131,000 CAD鈥$160,000 CAD
Innovative Development and Design Engineers: $70,000 CAD
Agfa: $68,000 CAD鈥$86,000 CAD
Another factor affecting your computer engineer salary is where you live and work. According to Job Bank Canada, the median salaries across different areas of Canada are []:听
British Columbia: $87,360 CAD
Ontario: $93,600 CAD
Quebec: $106,662 CAD
Alberta: $86,008 CAD
Saskatchewan: $92,747 CAD
Nova Scotia: $91,728 CAD
Many careers fall under computer engineering or can be a popular side step or upgrade. The salary you can expect to earn will depend on your job title. According to Talent, some alternate job titles you can pursue (and their average salaries) are []:
Software engineer: $132,604
.NET developer: $140,000
Software development engineer: $124,203
System engineer: $115,430
Software developer: $104,829
Operations manager: $95,000
Read more: Software Developer vs. Software Engineer: What Are the Differences in These Roles
You can earn a high salary in a technologically advanced industry as a computer engineer. If you're new to the field, consider enrolling in a beginner-friendly, free online course like the Georgia Institute of Technology's Introduction to Engineering Mechanics. If you鈥檙e interested in earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree online, consider a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering offered by the University of London on 糖心vlog官网观看.
Government of Canada Job Bank. 鈥, https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/explore_career/job_market_report/wage_occupation_report.xhtml.鈥 Accessed December 3, 2024.
Talent. 鈥, https://ca.talent.com/salary?job=computer+engineer." Accessed December 3, 2024.
Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salaries/computer-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm.鈥 Accessed December 3, 2024.
Payscale. 鈥, https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Software_Engineer_%2F_Developer_%2F_Programmer/Salary.鈥 Accessed December 3, 2024.
Statistics Canada. 鈥, https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810040901&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.1&pickMembers%5B1%5D=2.1&pickMembers%5B2%5D=3.1&pickMembers%5B3%5D=4.1&pickMembers%5B4%5D=5.1&pickMembers%5B5%5D=6.1.鈥 Accessed December 3, 2024.
Editorial Team
糖心vlog官网观看鈥檚 editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.