According to the 2025 Canada Salary Guide, recruitment strategies and tech salaries for Canadian professionals are increasing, particularly for candidates skilled in emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning. The report also states that skills in machine learning and data science can boost technology salaries by over 35%.
With AI transforming industries, professionals who can harness data and build intelligent systems are becoming increasingly valuable and sought after. In this article, let’s explore the machine learning jobs in Canada to find the best salaries, skills, and demands of these professionals.
Explore the Top In-Demand Machine Learning Jobs in Canada
Canada’s growing tech industry is creating a high demand for skilled machine learning professionals across sectors. Here are some of the top in-demand machine learning jobs in Canada today.
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary | Key Skill Required |
| Machine Learning Engineer | CAD 124,946 | Cloud Computing, Python, TensorFlow |
| Data Scientist | CAD 97,055 | Data Analysis, Data Visualization, ML Algorithms |
| ML Ops Engineer | CAD 97,168 | Cloud Infrastructure, Kubernetes, CI/CD |
| AI Research Scientist | CAD 185,643 | Generative AI, NLP, LLMs |
| AI Product Manager | CAD 99,948 | AI Strategy, Business Development |
| Cloud Architects | CAD 123,825 | Proficiency in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, Architecture design ability, and Familiarity with DevOps tools and practices |
| Cloud Systems Engineers | CAD 93,413 | Experience in managing cloud infrastructure, Troubleshooting and optimization, and Proficiency in scripting languages and automation |
Top Companies Hiring ML Experts in Canada
One of the leading companies that hires ML experts in Canada is Amazon, which has a substantial presence there. It primarily hires them for roles like AI engineer and applied scientist. Its Ring AI division also recruits many ML experts in Toronto. Cohere is one of the top AI unicorns in Canada – a natural language processing (NLP) platform that leads in large language models.
The following table names the other leading companies hiring ML experts in Canada:
| Sector | Companies |
| Technology |
|
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Tech Startups |
|
| Financial Services |
|
| Enterprise Solutions and Consulting |
|
| Media, Healthcare, and Other Industries |
|
Sources: Wellfound.com, as of October 27, 2025; LinkedIn, as of October 27, 2025; and Quora, as of October 27, 2025
Machine Learning Engineer Roadmap and Career Progression
If you want to become an ML professional in Canada, you must master the following:
| Broader Area | Specific Areas |
| Foundational Skills |
|
| ML Fundamentals |
|
| Frameworks and Tools |
|
| Specializations and Advanced Topics |
|
| Experience and Projects |
|
Sources: Scaler, as of October 27, 2025;, SprintZeal, as of December 19, 2023; and Great Learning, as of October 27, 2025
The different job roles that ML professionals can work in at various stages of their careers in Canada may be enumerated as follows:
| Stage | Specific Roles |
| Entry-Level |
|
| Intermediate |
|
| Leadership and Senior Roles |
|
Sources: Sources: Scaler, as of October 22, 2025;, SprintZeal, as of December 19, 2023; and Great Learning, as of October 27, 2025
How to Prepare for High-Paying Machine Learning Roles
The following table enumerates the different steps you can take to prepare appropriately for the top ML roles in Canada in terms of payment:
| Stage | Specific Roles |
| Building Technical Skills |
|
| Building a Portfolio and Gaining Practical Experience |
|
| Enhancing Your Credentials |
|
| Preparing for the Job Market |
|
Sources: Brainstation.io, as of October 27, 2025; and upGrad on May 7, 2025 and September 21, 2025
Essential Skills for Succeeding in Machine Learning Jobs
Machine learning involves using mathematical and statistical methods to understand and work with data. Professionals in this field require strong technical skills, including coding and data analysis, as well as soft skills, such as clear communication and creative problem-solving.
Essential Technical Skills for Machine Learning Jobs
- Skills in Software Engineering: In machine learning, it’s important to understand statistics and how to work with numbers and data. For instance, graduates should know how to write code and organize extensive data. This required them to have a good understanding of basic data structures to build innovative and efficient algorithms.
- Skills in Data Science: Languages like Python, SQL, C++, R, and Java are functional in data science for building models and analyzing data. Learning math, probability, and statistics can also help you understand and improve your machine learning skills.
- Domain Expertise: Machine learning engineers build innovative software to automate tasks and solve problems for clients. Hence, they need to accurately understand client requirements and design systems that meet those needs. They should also be familiar with the specific industry or domain to create valuable and reliable features.
Also Read: Want a 6-Figure AI Job in Canada?
Essential Soft Skills for Machine Learning Jobs:
- Communication Skills: ML professionals must work effectively with other team members, including data scientists, analysts, and developers. Hence, along with technical expertise, they need good communication skills.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Machine learning (ML) presents critical challenges that require professionals to devise innovative, creative solutions through careful thinking. Hence, problem-solving skills are essential for analyzing complex problems.
- Time Management: As an ML professional, you might juggle several tasks at once. It’s essential to stay organized, plan your work effectively, and complete tasks on time, thus making time management a crucial skill.
- Teamwork: Machine learning engineers often work with a team of designers, marketers, and developers. Hence, being a team player helps in running projects smoothly.
- Upskilling: Upskilling is another significant aspect of the machine learning profession. ML engineers are required to stay in tune with the latest technologies and developments through certifications and courses.
Also Read: Best Online Python Courses for Machine Learning in Canada
Machine Learning Career Growth Outlook 2025-2030
Companies in Canada are actively recruiting ML professionals due to a consistent shortage of skilled tech professionals, especially in ML and AI. Reports state that most of such employers find it hard to get qualified candidates.
Canadian cities such as the following are now thriving tech centers, and it is here that you would find the most AI and ML career opportunities in the country:
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Montreal
- Ottawa
- Edmonton
- Calgary
The most promising career paths for ML aspirants in Canada focus primarily on innovation and specialization:
- Generative AI Specialist
- MLOps Engineer
- AI Research Scientist
- Ethical AI Specialist
- AI Product Manager
Unlock High-Paying Job Opportunities in Canada with upGrad’s AI & ML Programs
If you want to unlock job opportunities in Canada in in-demand roles like data science or machine learning engineer, upGrad is the best platform to enroll for. upGrad offers some of the best online courses, including online AI and ML programs, available in collaboration with top global universities. These programs guarantee the best learning experience for candidates.
- Master of Science in Machine Learning & AI, Liverpool John Moores University
- Executive Diploma in Machine Learning and AI, IIIT Bangalore
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🎓 Explore Our Top-Rated Courses in Canada
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FAQs on In-Demand Machine Learning Jobs in Canada
Machine Learning Engineers, AI Research Scientists, and Cloud Architects are among the highest-paid ML jobs in Canada.
Technical skills, such as software engineering, data science, and domain knowledge, along with soft skills like robust communication, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective time management, are among the most in-demand machine learning skills.
Banks, insurance companies, and fintech firms in Canada actively hire AI and ML experts.
Edmonton is among the fastest-growing hubs for AI and machine learning research, thereby offering high-paying opportunities in this field. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and Calgary are among other cities.
upGrad’s Machine Learning program equips professionals with in-demand skills through hands-on projects, mentorship, and industry-relevant curriculum. It also offers support, such as resume building, interview preparation, and job placement assistance, to boost hiring chances for a machine learning career.
Some of the best tech companies in Canada for machine learning jobs include Google, Amazon (AWS), Microsoft, Meta, Shopify, NVIDIA, IBM, and Thomson Reuters, along with leading AI startups such as Cohere, Deep Genomics, and Waabi
