the engineering workforce in transition
The Canadian engineering sector is at a critical juncture. Approximately 30% of the workforce is over the age of 50, creating an impending talent transition that could lead to a significant skills drain. This makes retention strategies for senior talent and accelerated promotion paths for junior and mid-level engineers key to preserving institutional knowledge.
However, retaining this talent requires more than just competitive salaries. A Randstad survey revealed that 44% of Canadian employees wouldn’t accept a job that didn’t align with their values on social and environmental issues. This is a market where purpose-driven work and a clear sense of impact are non-negotiable for top talent.
Our 2026 engineering salary guide is your essential resource for navigating these shifts, providing the data and insights you need to build a resilient and diverse team.
prepare to uncover
- how to attract top talent in a competitive engineering labor market
- how will the current compensation trends shape your hiring strategy?
- what impact do local salary trends have on today’s workforce?
- what in-demand skills must be your focus to hire the best engineers?
- how to build result-driven hiring strategies to foster a thriving workplace
what you'll uncover in our 2026 salary guide
Our comprehensive guide compiles data from a wide range of engineering specialties to give you a detailed view of the evolving canadian market. Inside, you will find:
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in-demand job market data
Get a granular look at national and regional salary averages for the most sought-after roles, including:
- automation engineer
- estimator
- industrial engineer
- project engineer
- electrical designer
- mechanical designer
- process engineer
- applications engineer
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analysis and trends for the year ahead
Beyond the numbers, our guide provides strategic insights into the factors that will drive hiring and retention in 2026.
- The AI revolution: The guide explores how the rise of AI is reshaping roles, but not replacing the ingenuity and technical judgment the field demands. With 68% of Canadian workers feeling ready to use AI, our guide provides insights on how to find professionals who can work alongside AI and automation to enhance workflows and command premium salaries.
- Diversity as a competitive advantage: Engineering is undergoing a significant cultural transformation. While women represent 18.7% of newly licensed engineers, there's still a significant opportunity to widen the talent pool. Immigrants already make up 43% of engineers in Canada, and Indigenous peoples, who are significantly underrepresented, are a focus of new initiatives. We provide insights on how embracing diversity and inclusion can help your company gain a significant competitive advantage.
- The importance of reskilling: With 79% of engineering employees considering reskilling opportunities important, professional development is a powerful tool for attracting and retaining talent. Our guide explores how to build programs that create clear pathways for career advancement, positioning your company as a partner in your employees’ long-term success.
Our guide features contributions from industry experts, offering a comprehensive view of the current and future landscape of engineering compensation in Canada. By understanding these trends, you can build a high-performing team that will thrive in 2026.
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