Tech Salaries in Montreal in 2026: Breakdown by Role

Quebec has over 180,900 workers in the ICT sector (source: Portrait de l'industrie des TIC, Government of Quebec), a sector that represents 6.2% of the provincial GDP, approximately $27 billion (source: Government of Quebec). The average annual salary growth in ICT in Quebec reaches 5.74%, compared to 1.52% for the overall economy (source: Government of Quebec). And at the national level, the median tech salary stands at $97,197 CAD, which is 48% above the national median across all sectors (source: CompTIA, 2025).

In other words, it's a dynamic and well-paying market. But between the figures you read online and the reality of offers in Montreal, there is often a gap. This guide compiles verified and sourced data to give you a reliable picture of tech salaries in Montreal in 2026. Whether you're an employer calibrating an offer or a candidate in the middle of negotiations, you'll find concrete benchmarks here.

Software Development

Development remains the backbone of Montreal's tech market. According to Job Bank Canada, developer hourly rates range from $29/h to $67/h, or approximately $60,300 to $140,000 per year (source: Job Bank Canada). Salaries vary considerably based on experience level.

• Junior (0 to 2 years): $48,900 to $67,200 CAD (source: Glassdoor) or $65,000 to $75,000 CAD for well-positioned profiles (source: Fed IT)
• Intermediate (3 to 5 years): $76,500 to $90,000 CAD (source: PayScale)
• Senior (5 to 8 years): $94,600 to $139,800 CAD (source: Glassdoor) or $88,000 to $134,000 CAD (source: Robert Half, 2026)
• Lead / Tech Lead: $90,800 to $138,200 CAD (source: Glassdoor), up to $153,200 CAD (source: Indeed)

Profiles proficient in React, TypeScript, Python, and generative AI tools are at the top of each range. Demand for full-stack developers remains particularly strong, as detailed in our full-stack recruitment guide for Montreal.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Montreal is a global hub for AI, and salaries reflect this privileged position. The presence of MILA and research centres from Google, Microsoft, and Meta pushes compensation upward. Nationally, AI/ML salaries show a growth of 4.4% (source: Robert Half Technology & IT Salary Guide, 2026).

• ML Engineer: $90,800 to $142,800 CAD (source: Robert Half, 2026), with a national average of $144,707 CAD (source: Indeed)
• AI Developer: average of $112,383 CAD (source: Indeed)

Profiles that combine research and production model deployment are the most sought-after. An ML engineer capable of deploying production solutions with MLOps can easily reach the top of the range. Check out our article on recruiting AI talent in Canada to understand the challenges of this market.

Cybersecurity

The cybersecurity sector is experiencing sustained salary growth, with a national average increase of 4.0% (source: Robert Half, 2026). The multiplication of cyber threats and growing regulatory requirements, notably Quebec's Law 25, are driving demand.

• Security Analyst: $85,400 to $130,100 CAD (source: Robert Half, 2026); entry-level profiles can start between $65,000 to $75,000 CAD (source: Fed IT)
• Security Engineer: $93,300 to $137,700 CAD (source: Robert Half, 2026)
• CISO (Chief Information Security Officer): $159,600 to $216,200 CAD for the Montreal area (source: Robert Half, 2026)

The CISSP certification alone can add $8,000 to $15,000 to the annual salary (source: Fed IT). The cybersecurity talent shortage is so severe that companies are willing to train career changers, provided they have strong technical foundations. For more information, see our Quebec cybersecurity recruitment guide.

DevOps and Cloud

Cloud migration continues to accelerate, and DevOps profiles remain among the most sought-after in Montreal.

• Junior DevOps: median of $80,200 CAD (source: Salary.com)
• DevOps Engineer: $107,600 to $166,300 CAD (source: Robert Half, 2026), with an average of $103,200 CAD (source: Indeed)
• Cloud Architect: $127,200 to $166,000 CAD (source: Robert Half, 2026)

The most valued skills are Kubernetes, Terraform, AWS, and serverless architectures. Professionals certified as AWS Solutions Architect or Google Cloud Professional benefit from a notable salary premium.

Data

Montreal's data ecosystem is booming, with growing demand for professionals who can structure and leverage enterprise data.

• Data Analyst: average of $67,500 CAD (source: Indeed), within a range of $50,900 to $84,800 CAD (source: ZipRecruiter)
• Data Engineer: $122,700 to $172,400 CAD (source: Robert Half, 2026), with an average of $136,000 CAD (source: Indeed)
• Data Architect: $114,000 to $180,000 CAD (source: Robert Half, 2026)

Proficiency in Spark, Airflow, dbt, and cloud data platforms (Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks) is a differentiating factor.

Tech Sales

Technology sales positions offer very attractive compensation thanks to the variable component.

• SaaS Account Executive: average of $86,500 CAD (source: ZipRecruiter), with a median base salary of $64,200 CAD and an OTE (On-Target Earnings) of $121,200 CAD (source: RepVue)

In tech sales, total compensation (OTE) significantly exceeds base salary. Account Executives who perform above quota in Montreal achieve highly competitive total compensation.

Factors That Influence Salary

Experience and Specialization

This is the number one factor. The difference between a junior and senior developer can be threefold. Specialization in a high-demand area (AI, cybersecurity, cloud) also commands a significant premium.

Certifications

Recognized technical certifications (AWS, GCP, CISSP, PMP) add an average of 5 to 15% to salary. In cybersecurity, the CISSP certification represents a bonus of $8,000 to $15,000 CAD per year (source: Fed IT). They are particularly valued in cybersecurity and cloud.

Bilingualism

In Montreal, proficiency in both French and English remains an important asset. Bilingual profiles benefit from a salary premium of $3,500 to $7,000 CAD per year (source: Babbel survey, 2025). In a North American market where Montreal companies serve clients on both sides of the language divide, this bilingualism is a genuine negotiation lever.

Work Mode

74% of tech positions now offer remote work options (source: Robert Half, 2025). Fully remote work tends to level salaries toward the national average, while hybrid positions in Montreal often offer a location premium. Some companies adjust salaries based on location of residence.

2026 Salary Trends

Several major trends are emerging this year. The hiring market remains dynamic: 48% of IT managers plan to expand their teams in 2026 (source: Robert Half). Generative AI skills command a salary premium of 10 to 20% compared to equivalent profiles without AI expertise. Developers, analysts, and engineers who master integrating tools like Claude or GPT into their workflows are more productive and better compensated.

AI/ML shows salary growth of 4.4%, and cybersecurity 4.0% nationally (source: Robert Half Technology & IT Salary Guide, 2026). The cybersecurity talent shortage remains more acute than in any other tech domain, maintaining upward pressure on compensation.

Find Your Next Tech Role

Whether you are actively searching or simply curious about where you stand, our specialized recruiters can provide a personalized assessment of your market value in Montreal. At VALO, our 18% fee includes a replacement guarantee, and we only present candidates who truly match your needs.

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Read also: The 10 most in-demand tech jobs in Quebec in 2026