Software Developer Salary Guide 2025

A software developer is a professional who designs and builds software applications. In this role, your job duties vary depending on your organization's business requirements. You also maintain and update existing code to ensure products work correctly and efficiently. Often, you work on a team with product managers, product designers, and other programmers.

Average software developer salary

According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, the median hourly pay for a software developer is $46.15 CAD, roughly $95,992 CAD annually. However, base pay in Canada may range from $59,800 CAD to $144,997 CAD, depending on various factors [1].

Other top salary websites give software developers a similar range of base salaries. Here’s how they breakdown: 

Factors that can influence average salary

Software development is vast and encompasses different specializations, such as fintech (tech companies in the finance industry), blockchain development, and mobile app development. Aside from specialized skills and expertise, several factors can affect a developer's annual salary.

Level of experience

Typically, the more hands-on experience you have as a developer, the higher your salary range will be. The following breakdown shows how the median total pay can change at different levels of experience in software development. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation [2]:

• 0–1 years: $70,000 CAD

• 1–3 years: $82,000 CAD

• 4–6 years: $88,000 CAD

• 7–9 years: $92,000 CAD

• 10–14 years: $95,000 CAD

• 15+ years: $101,000 CAD 

Job title

Software engineer jobs vary greatly in title, responsibilities, and core compensation. Often, people use software developers and software engineers as interchangeable titles. However, these roles are different. The following list outlines a few more job titles in this industry with their respective total salaries, which include additional compensation such as bonuses and profit sharing: 

• Game developer: $68,000 CAD [5]

• Application developer: $80,000 CAD [6]

• Back-end developer: $77,000 CAD [7]

• Front-end developer: $75,000 CAD [8]

• Full-stack developer: $79,000 CAD [9]

Industry

Software developers design, write, and test code while ensuring efficiency in all operations. Software developers may work in several industries, including computer software, computer and video game development firms, and information technology in the public or private sector. Some software developers are self-employed. Some common industries and their respective median total pays include [2]:

• Aerospace and defense: $80,000 CAD

• Information technology: $79,000 CAD

• Real estate: $78,000 CAD

• Telecommunications: $82,000 CAD

Skills

Software developers work with a variety of technologies. Adding and improving your skills with various software programs, programming languages, workplace skills, and other techniques can potentially boost your salary. Some valuable skills include:

• Continuous integration (CI)

• Laravel web framework

• Leadership

• Apache Kafka

• Elixir programming language

• Microsoft Sharepoint server

• Tableau software

• Red Hat Ansible

• OpenGL

• Software architecture

Demand for developers

Software developers create important programs that nearly everyone uses daily, including music platforms, video games, and text message apps. However, Job Bank Canada expects a balanced market for software developer jobs between 2024 and 2033, with the number of jobs available to be broadly in line with teh number of job seekers looking to fill them [10]. 

How to increase your software developer salary

Professional development is an effective way to secure a higher salary range. For example, consider supplementing your resume with professional certificates from industry leaders in the tech space. 

You can also learn fundamental technical skills by enrolling in professional certificate programs that teach in-demand programming languages, which can also set you apart from other applicants.

In-demand programming languages

Programming languages are the backbone of software development. As a developer, you might only need to use one or two languages, but the more you master, the more competitive you’ll be in the job market. Learn more about the most in-demand programming languages. 

Python

Python is an excellent language for beginners as it’s easy to understand. Often used for back-end web development, Python is one of the few programming languages with simple, easy-to-understand syntax rules, making it far easier to read than many other programming languages.

Java

Java shouldn’t be confused with JavaScript. JavaScript is used to make web pages interactive. Java is a cross-platform program used to create interactive applications and browsers. It can be a complicated language to learn, but those with the skills are usually highly paid.

SQL

Structured Query Language (SQL) is used primarily for databases such as Microsoft Excel. Many businesses and organizations use databases to organize large quantities of data, so it’s an excellent skill.

C / C++

C was one of the first programming languages created and remains a foundation for present-day languages. C is now more commonly used in hardware devices such as medical equipment and operating systems like Linux and Windows. C++ software developers often pick up other programming languages that rely on C’s core concepts quickly.

JavaScript

Interactive websites are exploding in popularity, and JavaScript is the programming language most used to give users that immersive, interactive experience. Unlike some programming languages, JavaScript will likely remain relevant far into the future as exciting new applications continue to be explored and a wide array of enterprises around the globe use the language.

Take the next step in your career with Coursera.

If you're in the job market, consider enrolling in Mastering the Software Engineering Interview, offered on Coursera. You might also expand your developer skill set with a specialization like IBM's Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate, also offered on Coursera. This Professional Certificate features lessons on the most practical, up-to-date skills for daily use as a software developer. You can also have the opportunity to learn valuable front-end development languages such as HTML and CSS and how to develop and scale applications using Cloud Native methodologies.