Your Guide to Hiring Developers and Software Engineers in Ontario

How many developers are there in Ontario?

Ontario remains Canada’s most tech-intensive province. As of 2025, roughly 8% of Ontario’s workforce is employed in “net tech” roles, meaning the province has the highest concentration of tech employment in Canada. Within the broader region known as the Toronto–Waterloo Corridor — which spans the Greater Toronto Area, Waterloo region, and surrounding locales — there are approximately 151,700 software developers and programmers employed across the corridor’s tech ecosystem in 2025. 

Startups in Ontario

The startup scene in Ontario is thriving and has been growing since the early 2000s. There are many successful startups and a supportive ecosystem of investors, accelerators, and incubators developing new companies and ideas. 

Here are some key factors contributing to the strength of the startup scene in Ontario:

• Access to capital: A significant amount of venture capital and angel investor funding is available to startups in Ontario. In 2025 (Q1), Ontario alone accounted for 66% of all Canadian VC disbursements, with the majority going to companies in Toronto or the greater Toronto area.

• 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.

• Top universities:  Some of the top universities in Canada are located in Ontario. This means startups in Ontario can attract both interns and full-time employees with a specialized skill set. 

• Innovation hubs: Ontario has several innovation hubs that are home to clusters of startups in different technology sectors.  Toronto-Waterloo Region Corridor, a hub for AI, cybersecurity, and fintech startups, is a great example.

Why companies hire developers in Ontario

Many companies find that Ontario is an ideal location for hiring developers because of the province's track record of producing successful startups and workers in IT. 

Proximity to major markets 

Ontario is strategically located close to major markets, such as the United States and Europe. This makes it an attractive location for companies serving or expanding into those markets. 

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 looking for that work-life balance. 

Types of developers and tech professionals working in Ontario

Ontario is home to Toronto and Ottawa, two of the most populated cities in Canada. Ontario is home to a diverse range of tech professionals. You can find a diverse array of developers working in the Canadian province.

Including those with experience and offering services in: 

• 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

• Remote-focused job boards

• Freelance platforms

• Developer sites

• Recruiting agencies

Salary ranges for developers and software engineers in Ontario

Salary ranges for software developers and engineers in Ontario vary depending on several factors, including years of experience, type of company, and specific skills and expertise. Some salary ranges could look like:

• Junior Software Developer/Engineer: $30,00-$102,000 USD per year or $22-36 USD per hour for contractors

• Intermediate Software Developer/Engineer: $39,500-$116,000 USD per year, or $36-$60 USD per hour for contractors and consultants

• Senior Software Developer/Engineer: $52,500-$162,500 USD per year, or $60-$110 USD per hour for contractors

• Team Lead/Manager: $88,311- $132,437 USD per year, or $75-$150 USD per hour for consultants

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