Software Engineer Jobs in Toronto: Opportunities, Salaries, and How to Land One

Why Toronto is a Great Place for Software Engineers

Toronto combines a thriving startup ecosystem, major tech campuses, and a strong pool of talent from local universities and immigration, creating sustained demand for software engineers. Global companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have significant operations in the region alongside fast-growing Canadian firms in fintech, healthtech, and AI. The city’s supportive community—meetups, incubators, and conferences—makes it easier to learn, network, and transition between industries. Additionally, Toronto’s multicultural environment and relatively high quality of life are attractive to engineers weighing relocation or long-term career growth.

Typical Roles, Salaries, and Skills Employers Seek

Software engineer jobs in Toronto span front-end, back-end, full-stack, DevOps, site reliability engineering (SRE), data engineering, and machine learning roles. Salaries vary by experience, specialty, and company size: junior developers often start in the CAD 65,000–85,000 range, mid-level engineers typically earn CAD 85,000–120,000, and senior or specialized engineers (SRE/ML) can command CAD 120,000–180,000+ plus equity or bonuses. Employers commonly look for strong foundations in algorithms and system design, proficiency in languages like JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Java, or Go, and experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and CI/CD practices. Soft skills—clear communication, collaboration, and product-minded thinking—are equally important, especially in cross-functional teams and hybrid work environments.

How to Find and Land Software Engineer Jobs in Toronto

Start by optimizing your resume and LinkedIn for the Toronto market: highlight measurable results, relevant tech stack, and remote or hybrid experience if applicable. Use local job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed, Stack Overflow Jobs, AngelList for startups), company career pages, and Toronto-specific communities like MaRS Discovery District and TechTO meetups to uncover openings. Networking remains crucial—attend meetups, contribute to open source, and reach out to alumni or recruiters with concise, personalized messages. Prepare for technical interviews by practicing coding problems, system design questions, and behavioural stories using the STAR method. If you're an international candidate, factor in work permit processes or employer-sponsored immigration; many Toronto companies are experienced in sponsoring skilled workers.