U.S. Tech Workers Making a Whopping 46% More Than Their Canadian Counterparts

A recent study spearheaded by the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University underscores a marked salary difference between tech professionals in the United States and Canada. The research shows that U.S. tech employees receive a salary that's 46% higher, even after adjusting for currency fluctuations and living costs.

Titled Bridging the Divide: Analyzing Pay Differences Between Canadian and U.S. Tech Professionals, the research drew from 2021 surveys and official statistics from both nations. It explored wage variations based on several determinants, including gender, race, education, and additional perks like stock options.

Key insights from the study (all figures in Canadian dollars) are:

• Country-based median wage difference: U.S. tech professionals command an average income of $122,604, while their Canadian peers receive $83,698.
• Gender-based median wages: In Canada, female tech professionals earn $73,932, while males get $86,574. In contrast, in the U.S., the figures are $103,078 for women and $129,657 for men.
• Education-based median wages: In the U.S., tech professionals with a doctorate degree earn $160,776. In Canada, the same qualification fetches $106,026.

Racial identity and median wages: In Canada, tech professionals identifying as Chinese have the highest earnings. In the U.S., those of South Asian descent are the top earners, with American Indian and/or Alaskan Native professionals earning the least.

Vivian Li, the lead researcher and chief policy advisor at the Dais, emphasized the critical nature of Canada addressing this disparity. She remarked, "This study highlights the pronounced differences in the tech sectors of Canada and the U.S. If Canada doesn't elevate its standards, we risk diminishing our competitive edge, thereby hindering our potential to amplify our economy and enhance national well-being."

While the study recognizes that raising salaries might pose challenges for smaller businesses, it advocates for the adoption of growth-centric policies, paired with stringent worker protections, to enable Canadian tech firms to offer competitive remuneration.