Your Guide to Hire Developers and Software Engineers in British Columbia
Choosing to hire developers and software engineers in British Columbia, Canada is a strategic decision that offers numerous advantages for businesses. Here we’ll give you some information about why employers are hiring developers in British Columbia throughout this article.
Janelle Watson provides content marketing for the international team at Justworks. With a background in higher education and journalism, Janelle helps tell stories that make international expansion and EOR accessible.
Situated in a thriving tech hub with a vibrant startup scene, British Columbia provides a conducive environment for innovation and growth. The province boasts a highly skilled workforce, nurtured by renowned universities and colleges, which consistently produces top-tier talent. Moreover, the proximity to the United States enables seamless collaboration with major tech centers, while the favorable business environment and government support further enhance the appeal.
With a commitment to work-life balance and an exceptional quality of life, British Columbia attracts and retains exceptional developers and software engineers, making it a prime destination for businesses seeking to build a talented and dynamic tech team.
How many developers are there in British Columbia?
Right now, there are over 22,500 software developers working in British Columbia. Job prospects in the country are continuously on the rise and have been since 2016.
British Columbia, particularly the Greater Vancouver area, is home to a significant number of software developers due to its thriving tech sector and startup ecosystem. The region attracts both local talent and professionals from around the world, contributing to a substantial pool of software developers in the province
Noteworthy companies with locations or headquarters in Vancouver include:
Electronic Arts
Microsoft
Nintendo
Sage
SAP Canada
Slack (founded in Vancouver)
Trulioo
Startups in British Columbia
British Columbia offers a supportive environment for startups, with a strong network of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces that provide resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities.
The region's proximity to major tech hubs in the United States, coupled with a skilled workforce and a favorable business climate, attracts both local and international entrepreneurs.
With access to capital, a culture of innovation, and a focus on sustainability, British Columbia's startup scene continues to thrive as a hub for cutting-edge ideas and groundbreaking ventures.
Investment and Funding
British Columbia has seen a steady growth in investment and funding for startups. Venture capital firms, angel investors, and government funding programs actively support the startup ecosystem. The province's proximity to major venture capital centers like Silicon Valley and the availability of angel investors interested in tech startups create favorable conditions for raising capital.
Government Support
The Canadian government and the local provincial government in British Columbia have implemented various initiatives to support startups. Programs like the British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC) and the Small Business Venture Capital Act provide funding, tax incentives, and resources to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. These initiatives encourage the establishment and growth of startups in the region.
Why US-based businesses hire developers in British Columbia
Businesses that want to hire experienced developers in British Columbia have a wide range of incentives to choose to expand or hire in the province.
Access to Skilled Workforce
British Columbia has a highly skilled and educated workforce. The region is home to renowned universities and colleges that produce talented graduates in various fields, including technology, engineering, and business.
Proximity to the United States
British Columbia's location on the west coast of Canada provides proximity to the United States, particularly to major tech centers like Seattle and Silicon Valley. This geographical advantage makes it easier for businesses to tap into US markets, collaborate with American businesses, and attract investment from venture capitalists.
Quality of Life
British Columbia is known for its exceptional quality of life. The province offers stunning natural landscapes, a mild climate, and a range of recreational activities. The high quality of life and work-life balance contribute to employee satisfaction and retention.
Types of developers and tech professionals working in British Columbia
As one of the leading provinces in British Columbia, businesses have an extensive talent pool to choose from for designers and developers working here including:
Full-Stack Developers
Front-End Developers
Graphic designers
Web designers
Front-end developers
Back-End Developers
Mobile App Developers
DevOps Engineers
Data Scientists
UX/UI Designers
Quality Assurance/Test Engineers
Software Engineers
Cloud Architects
Database Administrators
AI/ML Engineers
Security Engineers
System Administrators
Network Engineers
Project Managers
Business Analysts
IT Consultants
Embedded Systems Engineers
Robotics Engineers
How to recruit developers in British Columbia
When recruiting developers in British Columbia, make sure that you create a clear plan before you begin the recruitment process. Try to post jobs in Vancouver, which is where the largest concentration of tech professionals are looking for employment in the province:
Define the Job Requirements: To get started, clearly outline the technical skills, experience, and qualifications required for the role. Identify the specific programming languages, frameworks, and technologies that are essential for the position. This will help you target your recruitment efforts effectively.
Utilize Online Job Boards and Platforms: Post job listings on popular job boards and platforms that are widely used by developers in British Columbia.
Tap into Local Tech Communities: Engage with local tech communities, attend meetups, and participate in events to network with developers. These communities often have online forums or job boards where you can post openings. Building relationships within the tech community can help you access hidden talent and receive recommendations.
Partner with Universities and Institutes: Vancouver alone is home to several universities and technical institutes that specialize in tech and research. Establish connections with these institutions through career fairs, internships, and campus recruitment. Engage with professors and career services to tap into the student talent pool.
Showcase Your Company Culture and Benefits: Developers in British Columbia often seek employers with a positive work environment, opportunities for growth, and a good work-life balance. Highlight your company's culture, benefits, and perks in job postings and interviews to attract top talent.
Partner with an EOR: Finally, businesses can work with an EOR partner in Canada that specializes in tech talent. EOR’s have a deep understanding of the local talent landscape, and can help businesses navigate the recruitment process and find the right candidates.
Salary ranges for developers and software engineers in British Columbia
Developers and software engineers will base their expected salary range on their years of experience, speciality, and the type of company they work for:
Junior Software Developer/Engineer: $31,000-$54,000 USD per year
Intermediate Software Developer/Engineer: $42,000-$75,000 USD per year or around
Senior Software Developer/Engineer: $65,000-$110,000 USD per year or around
Team Lead/Manager: $55,000- $119,000 USD per year
Contractors in British Columbia can earn anywhere from $55,000 USD to $155,000 per year.
Here’s a look at average developer salaries by programming language:
$101,000-$155,000 USD per year for NodeJS developer
$41,000-$133,000 USD per year for JavaScript developers
$42,000-$119,000 USD per year for AngularJS developers
$51,000-$94,000 USD per year for PHP developers
$37,000-$60,000 USD per for WordPress developers
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