Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Ottawa

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

Toronto
$151,781
/ year
+8%
difference
Ottawa
$140,594
/ year
Bottom line: Ottawa offers better purchasing power despite Toronto paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Toronto
Ottawa
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,781✓ higher
$140,594
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$98,156✓ higher
$90,921
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,702✓ higher
$217,404
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,104
$95,604✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,425
$130,180✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$133,492✓ higher
$123,653
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$319,195✓ higher
$295,669

What if you move from Toronto to Ottawa?

Gross salary change
$11,187
8% decrease
Take-home change
+$1,500
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$8,755
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 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Toronto$151,781
P10: $133,492Median: $151,781P90: $319,195
Ottawa$140,594
P10: $123,653Median: $140,594P90: $295,669

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Toronto or Ottawa?

The median Security Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$206,422/yr compared to CA$191,208/yr in Ottawa. Toronto pays 8% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Toronto or Ottawa after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $121,425/yr in a median-cost city, vs $130,180/yr for Ottawa. Ottawa offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Toronto vs Ottawa?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Toronto takes home approximately $94,104/yr, vs $95,604/yr in Ottawa. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.