March is National Engineering Month in Canada, which makes it a great time to highlight the engineering sector and the escalating demand for qualified and experienced engineers.
Canada is actively seeking skilled workers in various engineering fields to support its growing economy and infrastructure projects. According to a report by Engineers Canada, there is a growing demand for engineers in Canada, particularly in the fields of civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. This comes as no surprise to companies that employ engineers, but the pandemic escalated the exit of many baby boomers who were expected to be employed longer and would have trained the next generation of engineers. The report also predicts that the demand for engineers will continue to increase in the coming years – 100K engineering job openings by 2025 as more engineers retire and the economy continues to grow.
To help fill these roles, the Canadian government has implemented programs to attract foreign skilled workers, including engineers, to address the current shortage of skilled professionals in the country. The Express Entry program, for example, offers expedited processing for skilled workers who want to live and work in Canada. Prepareforcanada.com has some valuable resources on understanding the engineering industry.
Salaries in engineering*
It's widely known that engineers typically earn a good income in Canada, especially when compared to other occupations. Engineering is a diverse field with many different specializations, so salaries can vary widely depending on the specific job, years of experience and industry. As Canada’s largest engineering recruitment firm, we analyzed data from placements our recruiters have made in the last few months.
Mechanical Engineer
(Including reliability engineering and specific mechanical engineering roles – Static or Rotating Equipment Engineer, Integrity Engineer, Maintenance Engineer)
Starting salary:
- $55k – $65K (Entry level candidate)
- $75 – 85k (5+ years experience)
- $100K – 150K+ (10 – 20+ years experience)
Available jobs: Current job openings for Mechanical Engineers in Canada
Chemical Engineer
(Process Engineer, Process Safety, Production Engineering, Reservoir Engineering)
Starting salary:
- $55k – $65K (Entry level candidate)
- $75 – 85k (5+ years experience)
- $100K – 150K+ (10 – 20+ years experience)
Available jobs: Current job openings for Chemical Engineers in Canada
Electrical Engineer
Starting salary:
- $55k – $65K (Entry level candidate)
- $75 – 85k (5+ years experience)
- $100K – 150K+ (10 – 20+ years experience)
Available jobs: Current job openings for Electrical Engineers in Canada
Civil Engineer
(Including Geotechnical Engineer, Water Treatment Engineer)
Starting salary:
- $55k – $65K (Entry level candidate)
- $75 – 85k (5+ years experience)
- $100K – 150K+ (10 – 20+ years experience)
Available jobs: Current job openings for Civil Engineers in Canada
These base salary ranges in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering are for individuals working in the Oil & Gas, Mining, Manufacturing, Chemical, and Agricultural industries. Total compensation would likely see increases through short-term and long-term incentive programs from 5% to 50% of base salary.
Factors influencing these bonuses include the industry, the type of company, personal and company performance, years of experience, position, responsibility, and geographical location. The highest paying positions tend to be in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.
Alberta’s Occupational Outlook, 2021-2030, forecasted labour shortage of more than 3,000 petroleum engineers by 2030. Here is an estimated salary for petroleum engineers today.
Petroleum Engineer
(Including Reservoir Engineer, Production Engineer, Development/ Exploitation Engineer, Operations Engineer)
Starting salary:
- $60k - $65K (Entry level candidate)
- $85k – 100k (5+ years experience)
- $120K – 150K+ (10 – 20+ years experience)
Available jobs: Current job openings for Petroleum Engineers in Canada
The total compensation for engineers working in the Oil & Gas industry is currently the highest. In addition to their salaries, Oil & Gas companies offer generous incentive programs and bonusses. They typically range from 20% to 50% of base salary. These incentives are typically linked to the employee's experience level and company performance, and they are often discretionary.
Overall, it is an exciting time to work in engineering or start your engineering degree. Demand for engineers in Canada is going to be high for the foreseeable future. If you have an engineering degree and the necessary skills and experience, you may find many opportunities in Canada. At Agilus, we are proud to work with engineers and employers who are building a better world. Check out all the available engineering jobs in Canada here.
For more than 46 years, Agilus has served our candidate and employer networks, connecting great job seekers with meaningful employment. We place nearly 10,000 job seekers in roles every year in Engineering, Technology, Professional/Office, and Light Industrial roles. We have over 100 recruiters across Canada who can help you find your next role or help you find that new career path. For more information about Agilus, please follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or check out our current open roles.
