Data Scientist Salary in Toronto 2026: Complete Guide
From junior to staff — real salary data for Toronto data scientists
# Data Scientist Salary in Toronto 2026: Complete Guide
Toronto is Canada's largest tech hub and home to the country's most competitive data science job market. With major financial institutions, fast-growing tech companies, and a strong AI research ecosystem anchored by the Vector Institute, the city offers data scientists some of the best opportunities in North America — and salaries to match.
This guide covers what Toronto data scientists actually earn in 2026, broken down by seniority level, employer type, and how the city compares to Vancouver and Montreal.
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Toronto Data Scientist Salary by Level
Here are the current market ranges for data scientists in Toronto in 2026:
| Level | Experience | Base Salary (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Junior / Entry | 0–2 years | $75,000 – $95,000 |
| Mid-Level | 3–5 years | $95,000 – $130,000 |
| Senior | 6–9 years | $125,000 – $165,000 |
| Staff / Principal | 10+ years | $155,000 – $200,000+ |
These ranges reflect base salary only — total compensation including bonuses, RSUs, and benefits can add 15–40% on top.
For live percentile data on Toronto data scientist salaries, see our Toronto data scientist salary page.
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Where Toronto Data Scientists Work
Financial Services: The Largest Employer
Toronto is Canada's financial capital, and the Big Five banks are among the biggest employers of data scientists in the country:
Beyond the Big Five, Manulife and Sun Life are major employers for data scientists focused on insurance pricing models, actuarial analytics, and claims prediction.
Tech Companies
Toronto's tech sector has matured significantly and now includes companies that pay US-adjacent salaries:
Media and Enterprise Tech
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Toronto vs Vancouver vs Montreal
Canada has three meaningful data science markets. Here is how they compare:
| City | Junior | Mid | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $75K–$95K | $95K–$130K | $125K–$165K |
| Vancouver | $72K–$90K | $90K–$125K | $120K–$155K |
| Montreal | $65K–$85K | $82K–$115K | $105K–$145K |
One important nuance: Quebec's provincial income tax is higher than Ontario's, which reduces Montreal's salary advantage further when comparing after-tax income.
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CAD vs USD: Putting Toronto in Global Context
Toronto salaries are quoted in Canadian dollars. With a CAD/USD exchange rate of approximately 0.73–0.75 in 2026:
By raw USD comparison, US data science salaries — particularly in San Francisco, Seattle, and New York — are materially higher, often by 30–50% at senior levels. However, this gap is partially offset by:
For data scientists open to full relocation, ML engineer and data science roles in other markets are worth benchmarking alongside Toronto offers.
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Canadian Tax and Benefits Angle
Ontario Income Tax
As a Toronto-based employee, your provincial tax is Ontario rates. Here is a rough after-tax picture:
The combined federal + Ontario marginal rate reaches 53.5% on income above ~CAD $220,000.
RRSP: The Key Tax Shelter
The Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is Canada's primary retirement vehicle and a critical tool for data scientists in higher tax brackets. In 2026, you can contribute up to 18% of your prior year's earned income (maximum CAD $31,560). Every RRSP dollar contributed reduces your taxable income dollar-for-dollar, making it effectively a 43–53% return on contribution depending on your marginal rate.
Many Toronto employers — especially banks and large tech companies — offer RRSP matching of 3–6% of salary, which is free money worth factoring into total compensation comparisons.
Benefits Package
Toronto data scientists at established employers typically receive:
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Skills That Command Higher Pay in Toronto
Certain specializations push data scientists toward the top of the salary range:
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Ready to Benchmark Your Toronto Salary?
Whether you're evaluating an offer from Shopify, considering a move from a bank to a startup, or negotiating your first data science role in Canada, knowing the market rate is step one.
Toronto's combination of financial sector depth, growing tech scale-ups, and Canada's quality of life makes it one of the most attractive data science markets in North America. Understanding where you sit in the range is the foundation of every strong negotiation.
See How You Stack Up
Wondering if your experience matches what employers are paying? Our free AI analysis tool compares your resume against real job postings — salary expectations, skill gaps, and fit score in seconds.
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