Data · Canada
Data Scientist Salary in Toronto, ONCA$93,960–CA$122,040 in 2026
The data science market in Toronto, ON has bifurcated. On one side: applied ML roles at tech companies paying toward the top of the CA$93,960–CA$122,040 range. On the other: analyst-flavoured data science roles at non-tech companies paying toward the lower end. The same job title covers a wide range of actual work and pay. Know which side of that line your offer sits on before you negotiate.
Data Scientist Salary in Toronto — 2026 Overview
Entry Level
CA$82,080
0–2 years
Mid-Level
CA$108,000
3–5 years
Senior
CA$140,400
6–10 years
| Experience | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | CA$72,230 | CA$82,080 | CA$91,930 |
| 3–5 years | CA$93,960 | CA$108,000 | CA$122,040 |
| 6–10 years | CA$122,148 | CA$140,400 | CA$158,652 |
| 11+ years | CA$153,252 | CA$178,200 | CA$203,148 |
Data reflects base salary for Data Scientists in Toronto, ON, 2026. Figures exclude bonus, equity, and benefits. Sources: market surveys, job postings, and aggregated offer data.
Why Data Scientist Salaries Are This Level in Toronto
Toronto is Canada's largest tech market and the base for Shopify, which has set a high bar for engineering compensation nationally. Fintech and banking tech (RBC, TD) create consistent demand. Salaries are below US equivalents but competitive in Canadian dollar terms.
Toronto has become very expensive. A one-bedroom condo in downtown or Midtown runs CA$2,200–CA$3,500/month. Ontario's combined federal and provincial income tax rate is meaningful — factor this into your net pay calculation alongside the currency difference from USD-denominated benchmarks.
Top Toronto employers hiring Data Scientists
Data Scientist Job Market in Toronto: Demand & Hiring Outlook
Toronto'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 Toronto Actually Negotiate For
Base salary is only the starting point. The most experienced negotiators in Toronto 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$12,960–CA$27,000 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 Toronto
Not all Data Scientists in Toronto 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$122,040 and above.
Is your Data Scientist offer in Toronto fair?
You now have the market range: CA$93,960–CA$122,040. 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 Toronto, ON?
The median Data Scientist salary in Toronto, ON is CA$108,000 for someone with 3–5 years of experience. Across all experience levels, the range runs from CA$72,230 for entry-level through to CA$203,148 for highly experienced or specialised professionals.
Is CA$93,960–CA$122,040 a good Data Scientist salary in Toronto?
Yes — for a mid-level Data Scientist in Toronto, ON, CA$93,960–CA$122,040 represents the market rate in 2026. If your offer falls significantly below CA$93,960, it's worth negotiating or understanding why the company is below the market benchmark. Offers above CA$122,040 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 Toronto?
Senior Data Scientists and people moving into Principal Data Scientist / Head of Data Science roles typically earn CA$122,148–CA$203,148 in Toronto, ON. 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 Toronto?
The first step is anchoring to market data — you now know the range is CA$93,960–CA$122,040. 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 Toronto, ON?
In Toronto, ON, Data Scientists typically earn slightly less than software engineers at the same experience level. The mid-level range of CA$93,960–CA$122,040 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 Toronto range?
In Toronto, ON, Data Scientists who command CA$122,040 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.