Data · Canada
Data Scientist Salary in Montréal, QCCA$76,734–CA$99,666 in 2026
Mid-level data scientists in Montréal, QC typically earn CA$76,734 to CA$99,666, median CA$88,200. What pushes a data scientist toward the top of that band isn't just model accuracy — it's demonstrable business impact. Engineers who can trace their work to revenue, retention, or efficiency metrics negotiate more successfully than those who talk about methodology alone. If your last project had a measurable outcome, lead with that number.
Data Scientist Salary in Montreal — 2026 Overview
Entry Level
CA$67,032
0–2 years
Mid-Level
CA$88,200
3–5 years
Senior
CA$114,660
6–10 years
| Experience | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | CA$58,988 | CA$67,032 | CA$75,076 |
| 3–5 years | CA$76,734 | CA$88,200 | CA$99,666 |
| 6–10 years | CA$99,754 | CA$114,660 | CA$129,566 |
| 11+ years | CA$125,156 | CA$145,530 | CA$165,904 |
Data reflects base salary for Data Scientists in Montréal, QC, 2026. Figures exclude bonus, equity, and benefits. Sources: market surveys, job postings, and aggregated offer data.
Why Data Scientist Salaries Are This Level in Montreal
Montreal is Canada's AI and gaming capital — the Mila AI institute (founded by Yoshua Bengio) has made it one of the world's most important AI research hubs, attracting Google Brain, FAIR, Samsung, and Microsoft research labs. ML and AI engineering commands a premium here.
Montreal is Canada's most affordable major city. A one-bedroom in the Plateau or Mile End runs CA$1,200–CA$1,800/month. Quebec income tax is Canada's highest (provincial rate up to 25.75%), which significantly reduces take-home pay on higher salaries.
Top Montreal employers hiring Data Scientists
Data Scientist Job Market in Montreal: Demand & Hiring Outlook
Montreal's data and analytics market has matured significantly, with a healthy mix of established companies and scale-ups building out their data functions. Data Scientists here aren't yet as well compensated as their counterparts in tier-one markets, but the gap has been closing. The city's lower cost base also means that mid-level Data Scientists often have more financial headroom than their salary alone suggests.
What Data Scientists in Montreal Actually Negotiate For
Base salary is only the starting point. The most experienced negotiators in Montreal push for the full package — and the employers who want you badly enough will move on more than just base.
- Equity
- Research time allocation
- Compute budget
- Conference access
- Publication rights
Many Data Scientists leave CA$10,584–CA$22,050 on the table annually by not negotiating these elements. A signing bonus alone can be worth one to two months' salary — and it doesn't affect your base going forward.
Skills That Command the Highest Data Scientist Salaries in Montreal
Not all Data Scientists in Montreal earn the same — and the gap between the lower and upper end of the salary range comes down to specific technical and leadership competencies. These are the skills that consistently push offers toward CA$99,666 and above.
Is your Data Scientist offer in Montreal fair?
You now have the market range: CA$76,734–CA$99,666. The next step is knowing exactly where your specific offer sits — and getting the word-for-word script to negotiate it. SalaryAsk benchmarks your offer against live market data, builds your personalised strategy, and lets you practice the conversation with a virtual hiring manager.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Data Scientist salary in Montréal, QC?
The median Data Scientist salary in Montréal, QC is CA$88,200 for someone with 3–5 years of experience. Across all experience levels, the range runs from CA$58,988 for entry-level through to CA$165,904 for highly experienced or specialised professionals.
Is CA$76,734–CA$99,666 a good Data Scientist salary in Montreal?
Yes — for a mid-level Data Scientist in Montréal, QC, CA$76,734–CA$99,666 represents the market rate in 2026. If your offer falls significantly below CA$76,734, it's worth negotiating or understanding why the company is below the market benchmark. Offers above CA$99,666 typically reflect either a scarce specialisation, a particularly well-funded company, or both.
How much does a Principal Data Scientist / Head of Data Science earn in Montreal?
Senior Data Scientists and people moving into Principal Data Scientist / Head of Data Science roles typically earn CA$99,754–CA$165,904 in Montréal, QC. At the most senior levels, total compensation (including equity and bonuses) often substantially exceeds the base salary shown here.
How do I negotiate a Data Scientist salary in Montreal?
The first step is anchoring to market data — you now know the range is CA$76,734–CA$99,666. The second is understanding your specific leverage: your experience, the company's urgency to hire, and what competing offers or alternatives you have. SalaryAsk walks you through all of this, generates a personalised negotiation strategy, and gives you the exact language to use in the conversation.
How does Data Scientist pay compare to Software Engineer pay in Montréal, QC?
In Montréal, QC, Data Scientists typically earn slightly less than software engineers at the same experience level. The mid-level range of CA$76,734–CA$99,666 reflects the value companies place on data-driven decision making. Engineers who can bridge data science and production engineering command premiums above the standard range.
What tools and skills push Data Scientist salaries toward the top of the Montreal range?
In Montréal, QC, Data Scientists who command CA$99,666 and above typically have deep expertise in at least two of: Python, R, SQL. Beyond technical skills, the ability to communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders and to tie analysis directly to business outcomes — revenue, cost, risk — consistently separates the top earners from the mid-range.