Becoming an AI Engineer in Canada: Skills, Salary & Roadmap

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the technology that allows computers to simulate human intelligence. It is rapidly gaining interest across all sectors globally. AI has helped automate processes, freeing up time to focus on important things. The surge in AI jobs has led to an increase in the number of AI courses offered by universities. 

In this blog, we will discuss how to become an AI Engineer, the certifications and skills required to succeed in this industry, salary insights into the Canadian AI market, and different upGrad programs that will provide you with a certification to work as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer.

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Job Demand and Growth Outlook in Canada

The artificial intelligence (AI) job market in Canada is growing fast. The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) has estimated that the industry will grow at an annual growth rate of 33.9% between 2023 and 2028. Roles such as AI engineer will experience the highest demand along with data scientists and machine learning (ML) engineers.

In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for core AI skills like ML, ethics, deep learning, and governance, while peripheral AI skills have faded into insignificance. This indicates that companies are now seeking specialized AI talent with high skill levels.  

What it Takes to Become an AI Engineer in Canada

To work as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer in Canada, you must hold relevant certifications recognized by Canadian employers. Let’s have a look at some of the skills required for this and how they impact your career.

Skill/Tool	Importance	Purpose
Python, Java	Basic language for AI and ML	Data modeling and automation
SQL and NoSQL databases	Data processing and storage	Data engineering
NLP	AI domains specialization	Chatbots
TensorFlow/PyTorch	AI Frameworks	Neural network
Cloud platforms	Model deployment	AI apps

What Does an AI Engineer Do?

An Artificial Intelligence Engineer works with different technologies to train and create AI models. Job responsibilities include:

• Creating AI algorithms.
• Data processing and management.
• AI models for maintenance and troubleshooting issues.

Education and Certifications Required

If you are interested in getting admission in AI programs, you would require a Bachelor’s degree in Maths or Statistics, and some universities might prefer work experience. 

To work as an AI Engineer, you require any of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or AI.
• Practical experiences from internships.
• Certifications like ChatGPT for Developers or Artificial Intelligence for the Real World.

Essential Technical and Soft Skills

If you are interested in advancing in your career as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer, you need to have technical skills related to AI along with soft skills that will help you deal with issues at the workplace. Some of the skills required are:

• A good understanding of programming languages such as Python, Java, R, or C++.
• Experience with Cloud computing platforms like Azure, AWS, or GCP.
• Excellent communication skills to explain complex concepts to Tech and Non-tech people.
• Critical thinking skills to solve complex AI issues.

Salary Expectations and Job Market in Canada

The salary expectations and job market in Canada are showing positive growth. Here are some of the salary ranges:

• An entry-level role, such as an AI Specialist, earns approximately CAD 57,000 to CAD 96,000 annually.
• An entry-level role, such as an AI Engineer, earns around CAD 84,000 to CAD 130,000 annually.
• A senior-level role, such as an AI Lead, earns approximately CAD 100,000 to CAD 161,000 annually. 

Career Paths for AI Engineers

Right now, AI engineers in Canada can opt for diverse career paths that let them do diverse work, such as the following:

• ML Engineer 
• Data Scientist
• AI Researcher
• AI Product Engineer 
• AI Solutions Architect 
• AI Policy and Ethics Specialist 

In all these job roles, AI engineers get to work in high-growth industries. In their roles as data scientists and ML engineers, they create high-level algorithms which are used in healthcare, retail, and financial technology (FinTech) applications.

They also work as AI researchers in research labs and universities, which is a rewarding career opportunity when you consider the solid educational system of Canada.

AI solutions architects and product engineers are in high demand as well as they help companies integrate AI in cloud, enterprise, and cybersecurity software. 

Alternative Education Paths: Bootcamps and Certifications

These days in Canada, many AI engineers are opting for certification programs and bootcamps as practical alternatives to conventional degrees. 

They gain practical skills in domains such as ML, deep learning, and Python in the AI bootcamps. The best part of this is that it takes them only a few months to do so.

The top global educational platforms are also partnering with Canadian universities to offer specialized data science and AI certifications. 

Industries in Canada Hiring AI Engineers

There are several industries hiring AI Engineers in Canada apart from the AI market. Some of these industries are:

• Healthcare or Pharma for medical research or patient analytics.
• Retail and E-commerce for recommendations or customer targeting. 
• Finance and Banking for Predictive analysis or fraud detection.

Also Read: Best Online Machine Learning courses in Canada for 2026

A Roadmap to Becoming an AI Engineer in Canada

Let’s discuss the roadmap if you want to become an AI Engineer in Canada. The steps are:

• Build a foundation: The first step is to strengthen your foundation in Mathematics, Statistics, or programming languages (such as Python, Java, or C++).

• Basics of AI: You should focus on learning the basics of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. It would be advantageous to learn about supervised/unsupervised learning, as well as neural networks.

• AI Tools: There are several AI tools, such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn, that can help in understanding AI models and testing.

• Certifications: Consider enrolling in AI/ML programs and certifications from reputable organizations that are recognized by Canadian employers.

• Experience: Consider securing internships, working on real-world projects, and creating a portfolio to showcase your work experience.

Also Read: AWS Machine Learning Certification: Your Pathway to Success in AI

Building a Strong Portfolio as an AI Engineer

Employers in Canada highly value practical projects that showcase real-world AI applications like predictive modeling, computer vision solutions, and natural language processing. 

AI engineers can contribute to open-source projects, publish their work on platforms like GitHub, or share their work on competitions like Kaggle to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and technical ability.

They can enhance their credibility further by participating in internships and partnerships with Canadian startups and/or publish research papers.

ROI: Education Cost vs. Salary Potential 

As an AI Engineer in Canada, you can expect to earn roughly CAD 80,000 to CAD 150,000+ per year, depending on experience, location (cost of living, tech hub), and employer (startup vs big tech). For senior or specialist roles, salaries can go well above CAD 160,000.

Educational costs for a master’s or similar AI program vary significantly depending on the university and whether you are an international or domestic student. Typical tuition for reputable programs is CAD 20,000–60,000 per year, though highly ranked universities may charge more (CAD 50,000–60,000+). Lower-cost programs can be under CAD 20,000, but these are less common for international students in top AI schools.

Sources:

• Glassdoor Canada: AI Engineer salaries
• Indeed Canada: Senior AI/ML Engineer salaries
• Select Your University: Masters in AI Canada tuition fees 2026

Challenges in Becoming an AI Engineer in Canada 

There are several challenges to becoming an AI engineer in Canada, and the first – and perhaps the most prominent – among them is the level of competition in the job market. There is a significant demand for specialized skills, including deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.

Many employers also expect applicants to have the latest qualifications and/or practical project experience, which indeed creates barriers for freshers. 

Soft Skills Needed for AI Engineers

The AI job market in Canada requires engineers to possess considerable soft skills along with technical capabilities.

You need strong communication skills so that you can translate complex algorithms into insights that even non-technical stakeholders can understand.

Teamwork and collaboration are vital skills as well as in AI projects you may have to work with cross-functional teams that cover domains like business, finance, and healthcare. 

Critical thinking and problem solving help you design efficient and ethical AI solutions.

Build Your AI Career with upGrad’s Online Programs in Canada

If you want to become an Artificial Intelligence Engineer, upGrad offers online AI and ML programs with flexibility to build your career. Here are our courses from well-reputed universities.

1. Master of Science in Machine Learning and AI from Liverpool John Moores University

This Master’s degree can be completed in 18 months under the guidance of expert faculty. Highlights of this course are:

• Dual-accredited Master’s in Data Science from LJMU (UK) and IIIT Bangalore (India)
• Generative AI integrated modules, tools, and projects
• Personalized 1:1 coaching to maximize your potential
• Daily doubt resolution support to keep you on track
• 60+ Real-World Case Studies
• 80+ Programming & GenAI Tools

2. Executive Diploma in Machine Learning and AI from the IIIT-B

This Diploma program can be completed in just 12 months from one of the leading institutes of India. Highlights of this course are:

• 3-Month Free Programming Bootcamp for Beginners
• Specialise in MLOps or Generative AI
• Capstone Project Tailored to Your Chosen Domain
• Boost Your Github and Kaggle Portfolios Faster
• Master the hottest ML AI Tools and Frameworks
• 60+ Real-World Case Studies
• 80+ Programming & GenAI Tools

FAQs on Becoming an AI Engineer in Canada

Q: What is the best way to become an AI engineer in Canada?
Ans: If you want to become an AI Engineer in Canada, you need to have relevant:

~ Certifications.
~ Skills.
~ Practical experience.

Q: What skills are required to become an AI engineer?
Ans: Apart from certifications, you need technical and soft skills to become an AI Engineer. Some of these skills are:

~ Proficiency in programming.
~ Understanding of Natural Language Processing (NLP).
~ Problem-solving ability.

Q: Is AI engineering in demand in Canada in 2026?
Ans: Yes, AI Engineering is in high demand in Canada in 2026, as businesses across all sectors are engaging with AI technologies to stay abreast of the latest developments.

Q: What is the average salary of an AI engineer in Canada?
Ans: The average annual salary of an AI Engineer in Canada is around CAD 84,000 to CAD 130,000. It can depend on different factors such as:

~ Experience.
~ University status.
~ Job role.

Q: Do I need a degree to become an AI engineer in Canada?
Ans: Most of the job opportunities will require you to have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in AI/ML to be eligible for the role. But if you have a strong interest in this field, you can opt for certifications that can teach you the required skills.