Updated December 2022
Considering a career as a computer programmer? Wondering what kinds of jobs are out there and how much you can expect to earn?
Programmer salaries can vary depending on what area you focus on, what company you work for, and even what part of the country you live in.
To get to the bottom of programmer salaries, we reviewed the latest government wage reports plus dozens of real job postings.
This gave us a good idea of how much different programming roles pay in Montreal and across Canada.
Read on for all the details, including info on demand for programmers and how to get started with training.
PROGRAMMER ANALYSTS
A programmer analyst career involves figuring out what kind of software systems an organization needs and then developing applications to meet those needs.
Programmer analysts review requirements, research software solutions, write and test code, analyze system performance, and fix bugs.
The goal is to develop or modify programs to better serve business needs and goals.
Salary: The Government of Canada Job Bank says the median salary for programmer analysts in Montreal is roughly $75,000.
We found a number of postings for programmer analysts in the city that paid between $60,000 and $90,000.
For Canada overall, the Job Bank says programmer analysts make a median salary of about $84,000.
APPLICATION SUPPORT SPECIALISTS
Application support specialists are product experts who help users overcome software-related technical problems.
They respond to email and phone inquiries, investigate issues, and walk users through the steps required to fix problems.
They also document user complaints and work closely with developers to make sure issues get resolved.
Salary: Job Bank data shows that user support technicians in Montreal make a median salary of about $59,000.
PayScale pegs the number at about $58,000. So, you're looking at anywhere between $50,000 - $60,000 in the Montreal area.
The median salary for all of Canada is about $60,000, according to the Job Bank.
SOFTWARE TESTERS
Software testers figure out if an application meets quality standards. Their job is to make sure the software works the way it should before it gets deployed.
Testers review requirements, define test cases, and develop and execute manual and automated tests.
They also keep detailed reports of any defects and re-test the application to make sure issues get resolved.
Salary: According to PayScale, software testers in Montreal make a median salary of about $50,000.
Most job postings in the Montreal area offer salaries in the $50,000 - $75,000 range.
The median salary for all of Canada is about $55,000, according to the Job Bank.
DATABASE ANALYSTS
Database analysts are responsible for designing and maintaining data storage systems for businesses.
They figure out what the company needs the database to do. Then they come up with the code that migrates, extracts, or deletes data.
They also monitor and optimize database performance.
Salary: Database analysts in Montreal earn a median salary of about $70,000, according to the Job Bank.
Canada-wide, the median salary is about $81,000. Most database analyst job postings we looked at paid between $62,000 and $83,000.
WEB DEVELOPERS
Web developers are the people who get websites up and running.
They write code, integrate graphics and video content, test for usability, and make sure the site works as it should across different platforms and devices.
Some web developers focus on the front end (i.e. the user interface) while others concentrate on the back end logic that links the application to a server and database.
People who do both are called full stack developers.
Salary: The Job Bank says web developers in Montreal make about $64,000 as a median salary.
The job postings we surveyed paid anywhere from $50,000 to over $100,000.
The median salary for web developers across Canada is around $62,000.
HOW DO YOU GET STARTED IN PROGRAMMING?
You don't necessarily need a university degree to start a career in programming. Many employers are happy to hire candidates with a college diploma.
Programming diplomas typically take about two years. Some accelerated programs are even shorter.
For instance, Chao Zhang graduated from Herzing's programmer analyst course in 15 months and got hired immediately as a full stack software developer in Montreal.
"The program is very condensed and intensive. You move very quickly through the material and jump over some of the theory. That means students really have to do a lot of study and practice on their own.
Herzing's program provides a solid overview and introduction to programming. It helps you get your feet wet and teaches you how to continue learning and building your skills independently."
Programming training tends to focus on the fundamentals. You'll get a strong foundation in tools and technologies, but you'll need to keep learning and pushing yourself to stay ahead of the curve.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PROGRAMMING AT HERZING COLLEGE
Herzing's Programmer Analyst program can be completed in just 15 months. The training can also be extended up to 24 months.
All students benefit from a guaranteed 14-week internship at a local company.
Have more questions? An admissions advisor can take you through all the details of the program and help you decide if it's right for you.
Click below to explore the Programmer Analyst diploma and chat live with an advisor. We're here to help!
