Salary Comparison

AI Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Vancouver

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Toronto
$98,724
/ year
+2%
difference
Vancouver
$97,022
/ year
Bottom line: Toronto wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Toronto
Vancouver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$98,724โœ“ higher
$97,022
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$65,502โœ“ higher
$64,373
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$148,795โœ“ higher
$146,230
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$67,132โœ“ higher
$65,975
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$78,979โœ“ higher
$74,632
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—โœ“ lower
1.30ร—
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$89,083โœ“ higher
$87,547
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$202,361โœ“ higher
$198,873

What if you move from Toronto to Vancouver?

Gross salary change
$1,702
2% decrease
Take-home change
$1,157
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,347
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Toronto$98,724
P10: $89,083Median: $98,724P90: $202,361
Vancouver$97,022
P10: $87,547Median: $97,022P90: $198,873

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a AI Engineer earn more in Toronto or Vancouver?

The median AI Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$134,265/yr compared to CA$131,950/yr in Vancouver. Toronto pays 2% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a AI Engineer salary worth more in Toronto or Vancouver after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $78,979/yr in a median-cost city, vs $74,632/yr for Vancouver. Toronto offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a AI Engineer in Toronto vs Vancouver?

After estimated taxes, a AI Engineer in Toronto takes home approximately $67,132/yr, vs $65,975/yr in Vancouver. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.