The 2026 tech market is weird. If you are a developer in the US (or trying to get there), you know the drill: massive layoffs, RTO mandates, and the absolute nightmare that is the H1B lottery.
I've been analyzing labor market data specifically for the North American corridor, and I noticed a huge shift. Senior devs aren't just looking at Silicon Valley anymore—they are looking North.
Here is the raw data on Canada vs. US for developers in 2026, including the "Hidden" visa pathways most people miss.
💰 The Salary Reality Check (2026 Data)
Everyone knows US salaries are higher. But when you factor in the Cost of Living (CoL) and Healthcare, the gap for mid-level roles is shrinking.
Here is the average breakdown I found for a Full Stack Dev (5 YOE):
| Metric | 🇺🇸 San Francisco | 🇨🇦 Toronto | 🇨🇦 Calgary (Remote) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $160k USD | $110k USD | $95k USD |
| Rent (1BR) | $3,200/mo | $1,900/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Visa Wait | 12-18 Months (H1B) | 2 Weeks (GTS) | 2 Weeks (GTS) |
🚀 The "Cheat Code": Global Talent Stream (GTS)
Most devs don't know about GTS Category A/B.
Unlike the US Green Card backlog (which can take decades for Indian/Chinese nationals), Canada's Global Talent Stream has a mandated processing time of 10 business days.
Yes, 2 weeks.
If you fit into specific NOC Codes (National Occupational Classification), you skip the line.
- NOC 21231: Software Engineers
- NOC 21211: Data Scientists
- NOC 21222: Cybersecurity Specialists
⚠️ The "LMIA" Trap
If you are applying, you need to ask recruiters one specific question:
"Is this role LMIA-exempt, or do you already have a positive LMIA?"
If they say "What is LMIA?", run. They aren't ready to hire international talent.
🛠️ Tools I Used
I got tired of digging through government websites to find which companies actually have these permits, so I started aggregating the data myself.
I built a simple lookup tool that maps Job Titles to NOC Codes and tracks Salary Trends across different provinces (because a $100k salary in Alberta goes WAY further than in Vancouver).
If you are job hunting or just curious about the data, I put the full salary database and NOC lookup here:
👉 Check the Canada Tech Salary & NOC Database
(It’s free, just trying to make the data easier to read than the govt website!)
Discussion
For those who have made the move to Canada recently:
- Did you take a pay cut?
- Was the 2-week visa processing actually true for you?
Let me know in the comments 👇
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