Your Guide to Hire Developers and Software Engineers in Ontario
Out of all of the Canadian provinces, Ontario is known for having a vibrant and growing tech environment, and is home to a wide variety of companies and startups in the IT sector. The cities of Toronto, Ottawa, and Waterloo are home to thriving tech scenes. Many global companies create their headquarters in these cities.
In Ontario, you can find workers for every job type in tech, from entry level web developers, designers and developers, to senior software engineers. For this reason, more companies are building hubs or local HQs with the help of an EOR provider in Canada.
Are you interested in building your tech team in Ontario?
If so, check out our guide to learn 1) why companies are recruiting top tech talent based in the province of Ontario 2) and how to hire developers and software engineers in the area.
How many developers are there in Ontario?
In Toronto alone (the capital of Ontario), there are around 250,000 tech professionals. In Ontario, you can find more than 317,000 tech workers.
What do developers in Ontario do?
Developers in Ontario work on a wide range of projects and technologies, depending on their specialization and their experience working in the industry. Here are some common areas and job titles for developers in Ontario:
Software development: Many developers in Ontario collaborate on software development projects, building applications and systems using a variety of programming languages and frameworks. This includes front-end developers that use technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as back-end development using code languages such as Java, Python, Ruby.
Mobile app development: Developers in Ontario may help with developing mobile apps for iOS and Android platforms using programming languages such as Swift and Kotlin.
Web development: Web development includes creating e-commerce platforms, and web-based applications, with the help of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various web frameworks.
Data analysis and visualization: Developers in Ontario may also work on projects related to data analysis and visualization, leveraging technical languages such as R or Python and various data visualization tools and libraries.
Cybersecurity: As cybersecurity threats become more prevalent, more developers in Ontario are developing secure software applications or work as cybersecurity analysts to collaborate and protect against cyber attacks.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning: As AI and machine learning become more important, software developers in Ontario are building AI-powered applications or building machine learning models.
Startup scene in Ontario
The startup scene in Ontario is thriving and has been since the early 2000s, with a growing number of successful startups and a supportive ecosystem of investors, accelerators, and incubators to develop new companies and ideas. Here are some key factors contributing to the strength of the startup scene in Ontario:
Access to capital: There is a significant amount of venture capital and angel investor funding available to startups in Ontario. Canada reported $8.2 billion worth of venture capital funding in 2022 and almost $4.7 billion of that was from startups located in Ontario.
Supportive ecosystem: Ontario has a strong ecosystem of accelerators, incubators, and other organizations that support startups. These include organizations such as MaRS Discovery District, Communitech, and the DMZ at Ryerson University, which provide mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities for startups.
Proximity to top universities: Ontario has a large pool of highly skilled tech talent, with some of the top universities in Canada located in the province pursuing a bachelor or master’s degree in development or a related field. This means startups in Ontario can attract and retain top talent, first as a software developer intern and then as a full-time employee to help grow their businesses.
Innovation hubs: Ontario has several innovation hubs that are home to clusters of startups in different technology sectors, such as the Toronto-Waterloo Region Corridor, which is a hub for AI, cybersecurity, and fintech startups.
Government support: The Ontario government provides various support for startups, such as funding programs, tax credits, and other incentives.
Why companies hire developers in Ontario
Many companies find that Ontario is an ideal location for hiring developers in Ontario because of the province's track record of producing successful startups and workers in IT.
Strong education system
Ontario is home to some of the most prestigious universities and colleges in Canada, including the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo, and Ryerson University, which have strong computer science programs. This means there is a constant supply of highly skilled tech talent being produced.
Thriving tech ecosystem
Now more than ever, Ontario has a vibrant and growing tech ecosystem with a wide variety of companies and startups in the IT sector. Many companies have their tech headquarters located in Toronto and frequently post software developer jobs.
Proximity to major markets
Ontario is strategically located close to major markets, such as the United States and Europe, making it an attractive location for tech companies that need to serve those markets or that want to reach those markets as they expand globally.
Government support
The Ontario government provides support, financial incentives, and solutions for companies in the tech sector through programs such as the Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit and the Ontario Business Growth Initiative.
Quality of life
Another major perk of hiring developers in Ontario is because Canada is known for its high quality of life, with excellent healthcare, education, and infrastructure. This makes it an attractive location for hiring motivated tech talent because they have a work-life balance in their jobs.
Types of developers and tech professionals and working in Ontario
Ontario is home to Toronto and Ottawa, which boast a diverse range of tech professionals, including:
Junior and senior software engineers
Full stack engineers
UX/UI designers
Project managers
Developers
C# developers
Application developers
Game developers
Mobile app developers
Java developers
PHP developers
Go developers
WordPress developers
.NET developers
AngularJS developers
NodeJS developers
How to recruit developers in Ontario
To recruit software engineers, developers, and other tech professionals in Ontario, companies can use job boards, partner with recruiting partners or local universities, network and attend industry specific events, or consult other hiring platforms.
Standard job boards: LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, Jobatus, Bumeran, Konzerta, TheMuse
Ontario job boards: Workopolis, Techvibes, Work in Tech, TalentEgg, Monster Canada
Remote-focused job boards: Workana, Jobbatical, Guru, Freelancer, Toptal, FlexJobs, Remote.co, Hubstaff Talent, WeWorkRemotely, AngelList, RemoteOK, Virtual Vocations
Freelance platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer
Developer sites: Github, Stack Overflow
Recruiting agencies
Salary ranges for developers and software engineers in Ontario
Salary range for software developers and engineers in Ontario vary depending on several factors, including years of experience, type of company, and specific skills and expertise.
Junior Software Developer/Engineer: $36,796-$51,515 USD per year or $22-36 USD per hour for contractors
Intermediate Software Developer/Engineer: $51,515-$73,593 USD per year or $36-$60 USD per hour for contractors and consultants
Senior Software Developer/Engineer: $73,593-$110,389 USD per year or $60-$110 USD per hour for contractors
Team Lead/Manager: $88,311- $132,437USD per year or $75-$150 USD per hour for consultants
Here’s a look at average developer salaries by programming language:
$80,000-$114,000 USD per year for NodeJS developer
$76,000-$113,000 USD per year for JavaScript developers
$72,000-$112,000 USD per year for AngularJS developers
$58,000-$85,000 USD per year for PHP developers
$57,000-$79,000 USD per for WordPress developers
How to hire with an EOR and build a tech hub
If you’re ready to hire full-time developers and software engineers in Canada but don’t have the time or resources to set up an entity or build a local HR team, then consider partnering with an EOR like Via to hire your team.
Companies that partner with an EOR recruit and build their teams. The EOR simply takes care of the paperwork, including onboarding, offboarding, payroll, benefits, taxes, employment contracts, ongoing compliance, and all other HR processes.
As your strategic partner abroad, an EOR can help you determine the right salary to offer candidates abroad to ensure that your compensation package is locally competitive. Learn more here.
Why companies choose Via
As a global EOR provider, Via makes hiring Canadian talent and building your global team seamless. Instead of having to learn every specific nuance in every province, you can focus on finding the talent that fits your company. Whether you need to hire remote workers or independent contractors in Canada, we support you throughout the entire process. Via helps you manage local HR processes for direct employment such as work visas & permits, benefits, payroll, background checks, and more. Our team of local labor lawyers and on-the-ground experts ensure that your company remains compliant while expanding abroad. As your employer-of-record/entity in Canada, Via assumes responsibility for employment liability, so that you can focus on what matters: recruiting and managing your team.
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