There are numerous companies hiring data scientists currently in Canada. The increasing adoption of AI, big data, and digital transformation initiatives in several industries is the main reason. The Government of Canada’s Job Bank forecasts demand for 29,300 data administrators and database analysts over the next decade. At the same time, data science jobs may grow by 36% from 2023 to 2033, according to reports.
If you want to land the best-paying data scientist jobs in Canada, knowing more about the top industries, employers, and market landscape is a must. This blog will acquaint you with the top companies hiring data scientists in Canada.
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Top Industries Hiring Data Scientists in Canada
Here is a look at the leading industries and companies hiring data scientists in Canada.
| Industry | Average Salary (CAD per year) | Top Recruiters |
| E-Commerce/Tech | 77,000-150,000 | Instacart, Shopify, Wealthsimple, Amazon, Google |
| Finance/Banking | 90,000-110,000 | Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Desjardins, National Bank of Canada, CIC, Scotiabank, Morgan Stanley, Vanguard, Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group |
| Media/Legal | 60,000-140,000 | Clio, Thomson Reuters, RBC, TD, LegalShield, Google Canada, Shopify, Deloitte, EY, Accenture, Microsoft, Amazon |
| IT/Consulting | 77,000-158,107 | CGI, McKinsey, Deloitte, Fractal Analytics, Tiger Analytics, LatentView Analytics, Telus, and Rogers |
| Tech/Cloud | 60,000-140,000 | Amazon, Google, Shopify, Microsoft, IBM, Yellow.ai, Nvidia, Arya.AI, NIRMAI, Rephrase.ai, PwC, TD Bank, Deloitte |
| Public Sector | 60,000-120,000 | Federal Government of Canada, Government of Alberta, BC Government, Statistics Canada, HICC |
E-Commerce/Tech
One of the most popular graduate jobs in data science is in the e-commerce sector. Key duties include analyzing customer behavior, optimizing digital or online marketing campaigns, and forecasting sales trends. Other tasks include creating customer recommendation systems, predictive models, and data visualization and reporting.
Finance/Banking
With an attractive salary package for data scientists, this industry is a favorable hunting ground for trained professionals. Your primary duties include creating and executing machine learning (ML) models for risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer analytics. You’ll also have to build models to forecast customer behavior, financial indicators, and market trends while communicating complex findings through concise visualizations.
Media/Legal
You will find several opportunities in the legal and media sectors with lucrative salaries. Some of your key tasks include data analysis, identifying trends, creating predictive models, and extracting data insights to support internal decision-making. You may also lead initiatives in data collection, preparation, modeling, visualization, and refinement, applying insights to contract assessment, legal analytics, and other areas.
IT/Consulting
To succeed in this sector, you will need skills in data model development, programming tools, and visualization. Other duties may include creating ML models, generating insights, and leading data science projects. Strategic planning and data analysis are key, along with programming tools for data visualization and analysis.
Tech/Cloud
You can put your degree as a data scientist to good use in this industry, analyzing large datasets and generating insights for better business decisions and strategies. Other responsibilities may include model implementation and creation, data collection, strategic recommendations, and staying updated on the latest technologies and advancements in the field.
Public Sector
The Government of Canada and various other federal or state agencies hire data scientists in large numbers. You will need to create and execute multiple statistical models and machine learning (ML) algorithms while deploying predictive analytics to address public sector needs and challenges. Data mining and extraction skills are essential, as are problem-solving, data visualization, and effective communication. You may also be required to work on specific projects in healthcare, transportation, social services, and other related fields.
Also Read: Why Data Science is One of the Most In-Demand Careers in Canada
Skills & Tools Needed to Get Hired as a Data Scientist
Canadian companies hiring data scientists require key skills and knowledge of specific tools when filtering applicants. They include:
- Knowledge/certification in Python, SQL, and R, along with Tableau and AWS.
- Statistical and mathematical foundation.
- Machine learning knowledge, including decision trees, random forests, linear regression, and neural networks.
- Data manipulation, cleaning, wrangling, preprocessing, and analysis skills.
- Data visualization with tools like Seaborn, Matplotlib, Power BI, or Tableau.
- Communication, analytical problem-solving, and collaborative skills.
Also Read: Data Science vs. AI vs. Machine Learning: Which Career Path is Best for You in Canada?
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Completing your course from upGrad will go a long way in helping you achieve your dream career goals in Canada. You can consider these courses to start your learning journey:
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FAQs on Top Companies Hiring Data Scientists in Canada
Q: Which companies are hiring data scientists in Canada right now?Â
Ans: Several companies in Canada are currently hiring data scientists, such as:
- Â DoorDash
- Telus
- Lyft
- Instacart
- TD Bank
- RBC
- Rakuten Kobo
Q: What is the average salary of a data scientist in Canada?Â
Ans: The average salary of a data scientist in Canada is approximately CAD 97,258 annually. Salaries vary from CAD 84,950 to CAD 129,891, depending on the location, experience, and many other factors.
Q: What qualifications do I need to get hired as a data scientist?Â
Ans: You will need an educational background in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or related disciplines. Another requirement is strong communication skills, a portfolio of projects or practical experience, and certifications in data modeling, analytics, machine learning, and other relevant fields.
Q: What entry-level data science roles are available in Canada?Â
Ans: Some entry-level positions for data science in Canada include Junior Data Scientist, Data Visualization Specialist, Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, and Junior Data Engineer. It varies from one industry to another.
Q: Can I switch to data science from a non-tech background?Â
Ans: Yes, you can switch to data science from a non-technical background. Of course, a robust technical foundation and mathematical or statistical knowledge are beneficial, but not mandatory. Many professionals have successfully switched to data science from diverse backgrounds like business, marketing, arts, and more.
