Median annual salary: $121,846 · Range: $75,629 – $184,870 · Source: Government of Canada Job Bank (NOC 21211)
Annual figures assume 2,080 paid hours/year (40 hrs × 52 wks). Regional multiplier 1.01× applied to national Job Bank wage data.
Machine learning engineers build and productionize ML models, bridging data science and software engineering. Roles span NLP, computer vision, and recommender systems. Canada's AI clusters in Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton drive above-average demand.
Select an experience level for a detailed breakdown with negotiation advice specific to Kitchener-Waterloo, ON:
| Experience | Low | Median | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 years) | $57,000 | $101,000 | $166,000 | |
| Mid-Level (3–6 years) | $72,000 | $125,000 | $203,000 | |
| Senior (7–12 years) | $83,000 | $146,000 | $240,000 | |
| Expert / Executive (12+ years) | $95,000 | $174,000 | $296,000 |
Machine learning engineers in Kitchener command some of the highest software compensation in Canada, with demand anchored by AI labs, fintech model-deployment teams, and health-data research groups.
Kitchener-Waterloo is Canada's Silicon Valley — home to the University of Waterloo, Google Canada's largest engineering office outside the US, and hundreds of tech startups. The talent density drives salaries that closely match or exceed Toronto for engineering and product roles, with a lower cost of living. Blackberry, OpenText, and a thriving Velocity startup ecosystem are anchors.
Top hiring sectors:
Notable employers: Google Canada (Waterloo), OpenText, BlackBerry, Miovision, ApplyBoard, D2L Corporation, EY Technology
Based on Government of Canada Job Bank data (NOC 21211, 2024), the median annual salary for a Machine Learning Engineer in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON is approximately $121,846. The typical range runs from $75,629 at the 25th percentile to $184,870 at the 75th percentile, depending on experience, employer size, and specialization.
Above the national average. Kitchener-Waterloo, ON's regional wage multiplier is 1.01× the national benchmark for this occupation. The national median for Machine Learning Engineer is approximately $120,640/yr before regional adjustment.
The primary drivers are years of experience, employer size, industry sector, and professional certifications or designations. In Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, the dominant employers for this role are in technology and insurance & finance, which set the market rate locally. Specialization and a track record of measurable outcomes are the fastest paths to the upper end of the range.
The median Machine Learning Engineer salary of $121,846/yr places you at the 50th percentile for this occupation in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON. Given Ontario's cost of living, this provides a comfortable lifestyle for individuals and a reasonable foundation for a household. Use the JobCoach AI Salary Benchmarker to compare your specific situation against current market data.
Come prepared with market data (this guide plus at least two additional sources), a concise summary of your impact in previous roles, and a specific target number — not a range. In Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, the top sectors hiring Machine Learning Engineers include technology and insurance & finance, where competing offers are the strongest leverage. Always negotiate total compensation, not just base salary.
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