AI Jobs Market

Between 2020 and 2023, postings for machine learning engineers, data scientists, applied scientists, and research engineers grew quickly. That changed in 2023 and 2024 as technology layoffs hit, then rebounded unevenly in 2025: stronger at AI-first companies and mixed at large IT teams still testing projects.

Pay data is incomplete, but the direction is clear. Senior AI engineering and research roles in Toronto and Montreal can reach high Canadian compensation bands, while many mid-level postings sit far lower. University-linked research roles often pay less than private industry but offer academic ties and more flexible research work.

Jobs remain concentrated. Greater Toronto usually has the largest share of AI postings, followed by Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Waterloo, and Edmonton. Remote work has helped, but the Prairies and Atlantic Canada still have fewer AI postings than their overall technology sectors would suggest.

Immigration is another major lever. The Global Talent Stream can move experienced international hires through work-permit processing quickly, and AI employers use it heavily. Express Entry, provincial nominee programmes, and international student rules all affect the AI talent pipeline, often months or years before the impact shows up in job postings.