Vector image of maple leaf superimposed on shiLed on blue background with the words CYBERSECURITY JOBS AND SALARIES IN CANADA

Over the course of the pandemic, organizations across Canada completed digital transformations in the course of weeks and months that would have normally taken years. Now, more businesses are communicating and operating online than ever before.

While this is a welcome development, it also means that companies are now facing more cybersecurity threats than ever before. As a result, cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly important field, filled with a lot of prospects and opportunities.

In this post, we will break down the market for cybersecurity jobs in Canada, the salaries one can expect by city, and we will explain how you can break into this exciting sector with lots of great opportunities for career growth.


How much do cybersecurity professionals make in Canada?

The salary of a cybersecurity professional varies slightly depending on location, experience, and responsibilities, but the annual average cybersecurity salary is $125,470.

The industry also boasts lots of rewarding roles and opportunities for upward mobility.


What is the average cybersecurity entry-level salary?

While it varies from place to place, entry-level professionals can expect an average starting pay of around 8,000 per annum, with lots of room for growth and professional advancement.

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Cybersecurity analyst salary

A cybersecurity analyst is responsible for protecting a company’s networks and systems. From installing software and reviewing suspicious activity to researching new cybersecurity trends, a cybersecurity analyst plays a major role in ensuring that the company, its systems and its data are secure.

How much do cybersecurity analysts make in Canada?

According to self-reported Payscale data, the average cybersecurity analyst in Canada makes $81,189 as a base salary; however their base salaries can reach as high as $90,000 per annum.

The range of average salaries for cybersecurity analysts is quite even across the country:


Penetration tester salary

Identifying weak points in networks is an important part of threat mitigation. Penetration testers probe the company’s network looking for vulnerabilities or areas where attackers could exploit system weaknesses.

How much do penetration testers make in Canada?

The average salary in Canada for a penetration tester is $93,751

There isn’t much city-by-city salary data available for this specialized role, but in Toronto, the average salary is $82,922 with mid-level career salaries sitting at $89,000.


Information security manager salary

Information security managers are responsible for maintaining security protocols throughout the organization. They identify security risks, make sure that software and infrastructure are protected, and lead internal training and policy communication. They also manage security testing platforms including leading forensic investigations and risk mitigation.

How much do information security managers make in Canada?

The average salary across the country for an information security manager is $134,707.

  • In Toronto, the average is $109,006 with early career managers averaging $110,553, mid-level professionals averaging $103,145, and senior managers averaging $124,749.
  • In Vancouver, the average salary is $107,442 with experienced managers making $139,000 on average.
  • Montreal’s information security managers make slightly less than the national average at $120,000. In Montreal, mid-career professionals can expect to make around $99,750 and experienced information security managers average $129,418.
  • Calgary sits just below the national average with an average salary of $119,933.


IT security architect salary

IT security architects are responsible for the network and computer security. They design, plan and oversee the building of the security modules.

How much do IT security architects make in Canada?

The average salary for an IT security architect in Canada is $114,000, but the base salary can reach as high as $141,000 per annum. Early career professionals in this role average $94,665.

  • In Toronto, the average is $118,097 with mid-career professionals averaging around $106,488.
  • In Montreal, the average is a little bit lower at $107,442 with experienced professionals making around $117,916.
  • Vancouver’s wages are similar with an average of $111,910.
  • Calgary, as per usual, pays a bit higher than other cities with an average of $130,000.


Chief information security officer (CISO) salary

CISOs are responsible for the information systems and security departments of their organizations. Not only do they manage the function, they work closely with the rest of the executive leadership teams to advise and make strategic decisions about security protocols.

How much do CISOs make in Canada?

Across Canada, the average CISO salary is $158,547, with a top end of $218,000.


Is cybersecurity in demand in Canada?

Cybersecurity professionals are quickly becoming one of the most sought-after talent groups with jobs increasing by 7% every year. According to a 2018 Deloitte report, Canadian organizations were expected to hire around 8,000 employees over the last five years, and that demand has only grown. The Canadian government anticipates that there will be a significant labour shortage for analysts and consultants until 2028.

The number of job openings in the sector is expected to outnumber job seekers by 14% until 2028, due to both new job creation as well as industry veterans retiring. Because of these talent shortages at every level, there are a lot of opportunities for entry-level and senior professionals.

Also, unlike other, more limited professions, there are opportunities for cybersecurity professionals in virtually every industry. From finance and healthcare to retail and manufacturing, any organization that communicates or conducts business on the internet needs protection. All this contributes to cybersecurity being one of the fastest growing job sectors in Canada.


Is cybersecurity a good career in Canada?

If you like solving interesting problems, keeping personal and private data safe, as well as a stable career with excellent benefits—then a career in cybersecurity might be right for you.

Most cybersecurity professionals work in an office environment (or remotely, depending on the company’s policies) in a salaried position with an attractive benefits package in addition to a healthy base pay.


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Does cybersecurity require coding?

Starting a career in cybersecurity doesn’t require coding. There are many cross-functional positions available including law & ethics, technical sales, and education that are achievable without coding skills.

While you may not need coding skills for many roles in the early stages of your career, these can be helpful to expand your opportunities in the industry and are often considered a very important skill for mid-level and senior roles. It isn’t necessary for every security job, but having some degree of education or professional qualifications in web development will be extremely helpful for advancing your career in cybersecurity.


How do I begin A career in cybersecurity with no experience?

With the amount of new jobs being created, cybersecurity is a great field to transition into even if you don’t have formal experience in it.

To get started, it helps to build your knowledge of technology and information security standards and best practices. That doesn’t mean you need to dive into a four-year degree education, though. A bootcamp is a great way to build a strong foundation, learn the essentials, and get hands-on experience with the more practical aspects of the job.


Download our Cybersecurity Bootcamp curriculum today to start your cybersecurity journey.