TL;DR
Junior & Entry Level Software Engineer Salary in Canada grabs headlines—but most new grads settle for $60K offers, leaving $20K+ on the table.
Problem:Â You’re a bootcamp grad or fresh CS major in Toronto, buried in 200+ applications, staring at lowball offers from startups while Shopify pays $110K+ total comp. High living costs eat your paycheck, and no one tells you how skills like Python/AI unlock 25% higher pay. “whatisthesalary.com“
Solution: This guide reveals exact 2024-2025 ranges ($65K-$100K by city), Shopify breakdowns, tech stack boosts, and negotiation hacks that land top offers. Waterloo co-oppers earn 15% more—copy their playbook.
Start earning what you’re worth today.
Entry Level Software Engineer Salary Canada 2024 — Overview
The entry level software engineer salary Canada 2024 ranges from $65,000 to $95,000 CAD per year. For junior software developers, the range is slightly lower at $60,000 to $85,000. Here is a quick breakdown:
| Role | Salary Range (CAD/Year) | Monthly (CAD) |
| New Grad / Entry Level (0-1 yr) | $65,000 – $85,000 | $5,400 – $7,100 |
| Junior Software Engineer (1-3 yrs) | $75,000 – $95,000 | $6,250 – $7,900 |
| Junior Software Developer | $60,000 – $85,000 | $5,000 – $7,100 |
| Junior Software Engineer Toronto | $80,000 – $100,000 | $6,700 – $8,300 |
Junior Software Engineer Salary Toronto
Toronto is Canada’s largest tech hub and offers the highest junior software engineer salary in the country. The junior software engineer salary Toronto in 2024-2025 averages between $80,000 to $100,000 CAD per year. Top companies like Shopify, RBC, TD, and numerous startups compete aggressively for junior talent in Toronto.
| City | Junior SWE Salary (CAD/Year) | Notes |
| Toronto, ON | $80,000 – $100,000 | Highest in Canada |
| Vancouver, BC | $75,000 – $95,000 | High cost of living |
| Ottawa, ON | $70,000 – $88,000 | Strong gov sector |
| Calgary, AB | $68,000 – $85,000 | Growing market |
| Montreal, QC | $65,000 – $82,000 | Lower COL offset |
| Waterloo, ON | $72,000 – $90,000 | Startup ecosystem |
Junior Software Developer Salary Canada 2024 — By Company Type
Your employer type matters as much as your city. Here is how junior software developer salaries differ across company types in Canada:
| Company Type | Junior Salary Range (CAD) | Typical Perks |
| FAANG / Big Tech | $95,000 – $120,000 | RSUs, bonuses, full benefits |
| Canadian Mid-Size Tech | $75,000 – $95,000 | Good WLB, some RSUs |
| Startups (funded) | $70,000 – $90,000 | Equity, fast growth |
| Banks / Finance | $75,000 – $90,000 | Stable, pension, benefits |
| Government / Public Sector | $65,000 – $78,000 | Job security, pension |
| Consulting Firms | $68,000 – $85,000 | Travel, varied projects |
Shopify New Grad Salary — What to Expect
Shopify is one of Canada’s most sought-after employers for new grads. The Shopify new grad salary in 2024-2025 ranges from $95,000 to $115,000 CAD base, plus RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) and a performance bonus. Total compensation for Shopify new grads can reach $130,000-$150,000 CAD when equity is included. Shopify is known for remote-first culture and competitive pay that rivals US tech companies.
Entry Level Software Developer Salary Canada 2024 — Tech Stack Impact
Your technical skills significantly impact your starting salary. Here is how different tech stacks affect entry level software developer salary Canada 2024:
How to Increase Your Junior Software Engineer Salary in Canada
Also read: Software Engineer Salary in Canada: Complete Guide 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the average entry-level software engineer salary in Canada 2024-2025?
Entry-level software engineer salaries in Canada range from $65,000–$95,000 CAD/year, with monthly pay of $5,400–$7,100. New grads often start at the lower end, rising with skills like Python or React.
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Which Canadian city pays the highest junior software engineer salary?
Toronto leads with $80,000–$100,000 CAD/year for junior roles, thanks to hubs like Shopify and banks. Vancouver follows at $75,000–$95,000, while Montreal offers $65,000–$82,000 with lower living costs.
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What is the Shopify new grad salary in Canada?
Shopify new grad salaries range from $95,000–$115,000 CAD base, plus RSUs and bonuses—total comp up to $130,000–$150,000. It’s remote-friendly and competitive with US tech pay.
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How does tech stack affect junior software developer salary Canada?
High-demand stacks like Python/Django + AI ($80,000–$95,000) or Go/Rust beat PHP/WordPress ($60,000–$72,000). Full-stack React/Node.js averages $75,000–$90,000.
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Do big tech companies pay more for junior software engineers in Canada?
Yes—FAANG/big tech offers $95,000–$120,000 with RSUs and perks. Startups give $70,000–$90,000 + equity, while government roles are $65,000–$78,000 with stability.
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How can I increase my junior software engineer salary in Canada?
Build a GitHub portfolio, get AWS/Azure certs, contribute to open source, negotiate offers (70% skip this), target US firms in Canada, or join Waterloo co-ops for a pay boost.
Conclusion
The junior software engineer salary Canada in 2024-2025 is a solid starting point for your career, especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. With the right skills, company choice, and negotiation strategy, you can reach the higher end of the range quickly. As you gain experience, explore our Senior Software Engineer Salary in Canada guide to understand where your career trajectory can take you.
Shahzada Muhammad Ali Qureshi (Leeo)
I’m Shahzada — a software engineer by education and an SEO professional by trade. I built WhatIsTheSalary.com to go beyond just showing salary numbers — every page is manually researched across sources like BLS, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and PayScale to give you the full picture in one place. If you found what you were looking for here, that’s exactly the point.
