Canada Tech and IT Salary Trends: What to Expect in 2025

Salaries and Roles Salary and hiring trends Technology Article
Is your tech team ready for the challenges of 2025? As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the technology landscape and talent shortages persist, staying ahead of hiring trends is more vital than ever for employers. The 2025 Canada Salary Guide From Robert Half leverages exclusive survey data and insider tips to shed light on Canada tech salaries, sought-after skills and recruitment strategies. Here are some of the main takeaways from this must-read report.
In 2025, Canadian companies face a triple challenge when addressing their technology priorities: a shortage of skilled talent, tight budgets and the breakneck pace of tech innovation. This perfect storm incentivizes IT recruiters and hiring managers to be more creative in their approach to sourcing talent. Take emerging technologies like AI and machine learning. Hiring professionals with related skills is a race against the clock. The most sought-after candidates often field multiple job offers and don’t stay on the market for long. To stay in the hunt, streamline your interview process, make quick decisions and be ready with an offer. Keeping applicants engaged with regular updates can also give you an edge over your rivals. Another smart approach is to prioritize skills and potential over resume length. A noteworthy 58% of technology employers are open to easing up on experience requirements if a candidate otherwise demonstrates all the required skills for the role. This more flexible stance allows companies to cast a wider net and staff vital positions faster. To tackle new projects and those that have been waiting in the wings, some employers are betting on less-seasoned but high-potential individuals who can grow into more advanced roles over time. Others are adopting a scalable talent model, bringing in contract talent for as long as needed to alleviate staffing and skills gaps and keep high-priority projects on track. That makes them less vulnerable to economic highs and lows — and more agile to respond quickly to change or disruption.   Access Robert Half's ebook, Building Future-Forward Tech Teams, to gain a better understanding of today's tech and IT hiring landscape, complete with today's most prevalent challenges and strategies to overcome them.
The need for professionals with AI, machine learning and automation skills is set to rise in 2025. Robert Half's research reveals that over half of IT departments are grappling with skills gaps in these cutting-edge areas. This talent crunch pushes many companies to ramp up their efforts to bring data science, data engineering and data analysis professionals on board. These workers are essential for creating the organized, well-structured data environments that form the backbone of effective AI and machine learning systems. The ripple effects of AI on technology hiring are far-reaching: 55% of employers foresee AI driving a shift in high-demand skills. What's more, 44% expect to bring in more contract workers or consultants, while a third anticipate AI-related needs will boost overall hiring.
The Salary Guide outlines a range of strategies employers are using to address skills shortages: Upskilling current staff — More than half (53%) of employers are investing in their existing workforce, providing training to enhance their skills for their current roles. Reskilling for new roles — 45% of managers are taking it a step further, retraining workers to take on entirely different positions within the organization. Bringing in contract professionals — 40% are turning to contract talent to address immediate needs and provide staffing flexibility. Supporting further education — 39% are offering financial assistance to employees pursuing new credentials. Partnering with managed services providers — Over a third (36%) of team leaders are collaborating with external partners to access professionals with specialized skills. Check out this article for more tips on how to upskill your staff for the future of work.
Understanding which skills command a premium can help you stay ahead of competitors. The Salary Guide reveals the top skills that are driving IT salary trends: Machine learning and data science (35%): As AI transforms industries, professionals who can harness data and build intelligent systems are worth the extra investment. Cybersecurity (28%): The demand for this skill is a clear indicator that protecting digital assets is a priority for Canadian businesses. AI and automation (28%): Companies looking to, for example, implement intelligent chatbots for enhanced customer service or design recommendation engines for personalized user experiences are prepared to pay a premium for these skills. Cloud security and architecture (25%): As more operations move to the cloud, professionals who can help ensure secure and efficient digital infrastructures are invaluable. Software and app development (22%): In our digital-first world, the demand for talented developers remains strong.
As Canada's digital sector matures, certain positions are rising to the top of many employers' wish lists. The Salary Guide spotlights five roles that are particularly in demand: Business systems analyst Data analyst Help desk professional Network/cloud administrator Software developer/engineer From translating business needs into tech solutions to crunching numbers to providing hands-on support to crafting innovative software, these jobs are the backbone of many organizations' tech strategies. But job titles are just the beginning of the story. Employers are also on the lookout for candidates with certifications that demonstrate their commitment to professional development and expertise in mission-critical areas. The most sought-after credentials are: Amazon Web Services (AWS) certificate Certified information systems security professional (CISSP) Cisco certified network associate (CCNA) Microsoft Azure certifications Microsoft-certified Power BI data analyst associate Microsoft certified solutions expert (MCSE) Whether you're looking to build a world-class team, fine-tune your hiring strategy or benchmark tech salaries, the Salary Guide is your road map to success in 2025. Explore the full 2025 Canada Salary Guide from Robert Half today and take the guesswork out of your technology hiring decisions.