Forget what you think you know about Alberta. Yes, it's oil country—but Calgary just recorded North America's highest tech job growth rate (61%), and Edmonton is ranked the lowest-cost tech hub in CBRE's Top 50. Add no provincial sales tax, the youngest workforce in Canada, and rent that's half of Vancouver's, and you've got Canada's most underrated tech opportunity.
This guide covers both cities with the real data you need.
Alberta Tech Market: The Numbers
The CBRE Report (2025)
| Metric | Calgary | Edmonton |
|---|---|---|
| Tech job growth (2021-2024) | 61% (highest in North America) | Strong growth |
| Cost ranking | Competitive | Lowest-cost in Top 50 |
| Annual operating cost (500-person company) | ~$45M | ~$35M |
| Comparison: San Francisco | — | $87M |
Source: CBRE "Scoring Tech Talent" 2025 Report
Alberta Tech Workforce
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Software engineers in Alberta | ~7,950 |
| Job outlook (2025-2027) | Moderate |
| Concentration regions | Calgary, Edmonton |
| Key sectors | Computer systems design (62%), Wholesale (6%), Info/Cultural (5%) |
Source: Government of Canada Job Bank (December 2025)
Why Alberta is Growing
- Diversification from oil: Government and private sector investing in tech
- Cost advantage: Significantly cheaper than Toronto/Vancouver
- Young workforce: Canada's youngest working population
- No PST: No provincial sales tax (only 5% GST)
- Lower corporate taxes: Competitive with US states
Salary Data: Lower Than Toronto, But So Is Everything Else
Calgary Compensation (Levels.fyi)
| Percentile | Total Compensation (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 25th | $85,589 |
| Median | $109,652 |
| 75th | $141,854 |
| 90th | $176,000+ |
Entry Level Median: $65,397
Source: Levels.fyi Calgary, January 2026
Edmonton Compensation (Levels.fyi)
| Percentile | Total Compensation (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 25th | $79,069 |
| Median | $104,339 |
| 75th | $132,553 |
| 90th | $201,000+ |
Source: Levels.fyi Edmonton, January 2026
Top Paying Companies in Alberta
| Company | Location | Role Level | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Calgary | Various | $142,264 |
| Intuit | Edmonton | Various | $170,990 |
| Neo Financial | Calgary | Senior | $106,000 |
| Neo Financial | Calgary | Mid | $70,500 |
| City of Calgary | Calgary | Various | $79K-$112K |
| CGI | Edmonton | Software Engineer | $52,000-$75,000 |
Source: Levels.fyi Alberta, January 2026
By Experience Level
| Level | Calgary | Edmonton |
|---|---|---|
| New Grad | $55K - $75K | $50K - $70K |
| Junior (1-2 yrs) | $65K - $90K | $60K - $85K |
| Mid (3-5 yrs) | $85K - $120K | $80K - $115K |
| Senior (5+ yrs) | $110K - $150K | $100K - $140K |
Cost of Living: Alberta's Secret Weapon
Rent Prices (2025)
| City | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | $1,539 - $1,690 | $1,900 - $2,030 | -5.8% |
| Edmonton | $1,250 - $1,289 | $1,575 | -4.9% |
| Toronto | $2,336 - $2,587 | $2,690 | -4.7% |
| Vancouver | $2,288 - $2,896 | $3,170 | -7.0% |
Source: Zumper, DailyHive, TenantPay (December 2025)
Edmonton: Canada's Most Affordable Major City
| Comparison | Edmonton | Toronto | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR Rent | $1,250 | $2,336 | $1,086/month |
| Annual Savings | — | — | $13,032/year |
Edmonton rent is 47% cheaper than Toronto.
Calgary Neighborhoods
| Area | 1BR Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown/Beltline | $1,395 - $1,700 | Walkable, nightlife |
| Northeast Calgary | $1,519 | Most affordable |
| Southeast Calgary | $1,596 | Good value |
| University Area | $1,400 - $1,700 | Near U of C |
| Suburbs (Tuscany, Evergreen) | $1,400 - $1,700 | Family-friendly |
Source: Calgary.com Rental Guide (2025)
Edmonton Neighborhoods
| Area | 1BR Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | $1,400 - $1,800 | Close to offices, transit |
| University Area | $1,300 - $1,600 | Near U of A |
| West Edmonton | $1,100 - $1,500 | Near WEM, suburban |
| North Edmonton | $1,000 - $1,300 | Most affordable |
| South Edmonton | $1,200 - $1,500 | Whyte Ave, nightlife |
Source: GSK Properties, Edmonton Rental Guide (2025)
The No-PST Advantage
Alberta has no provincial sales tax:
| Province | Provincial Tax | Total Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 0% | 5% (GST only) |
| Ontario | 8% | 13% (HST) |
| BC | 7% | 12% (GST+PST) |
| Quebec | 9.975% | 14.975% (GST+QST) |
Real savings: 7-10% on most purchases.
Monthly Budget: Calgary
Income: $90,000 (~$5,600/month after tax - lower taxes!)
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $1,600 |
| Transportation | $112 (Calgary Transit) |
| Food & Groceries | $400 |
| Utilities | $150 (cold winters!) |
| Phone/Internet | $100 |
| Entertainment | $300 |
| Car (if needed) | $400 |
| Savings | $2,000 |
| Miscellaneous | $538 |
| Total | $5,600 |
Monthly Budget: Edmonton
Income: $85,000 (~$5,300/month after tax)
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $1,300 |
| Transportation | $100 (Edmonton Transit) |
| Food & Groceries | $400 |
| Utilities | $150 |
| Phone/Internet | $100 |
| Entertainment | $300 |
| Car (if needed) | $400 |
| Savings | $2,000 |
| Miscellaneous | $550 |
| Total | $5,300 |
Top Tech Companies in Alberta
Calgary: Fintech Capital of the West
| Company | Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Neo Financial | Digital banking | Calgary HQ, fast-growing |
| Benevity | Corporate giving platform | Unicorn, major employer |
| Symend | Behavioral engagement | AI-powered, scaling |
| Attabotics | Robotics/logistics | Automation leader |
| Helcim | Payment processing | Growing fintech |
| Solium (now Shareworks) | Equity management | Acquired by Morgan Stanley |
Calgary: Enterprise & Energy Tech
| Company | Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Networking | Major office |
| IBM | Enterprise IT | Consulting + tech |
| Parvus Therapeutics | Biotech | Growing |
| Absorb Software | Learning management | Fast-growing |
| SMART Technologies | EdTech hardware | Interactive displays |
Edmonton: Government & Research
| Company | Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Intuit | Financial software | TurboTax, highest paying |
| BioWare | Gaming | Mass Effect, Dragon Age |
| CGI | IT consulting | Large employer |
| Government of Alberta | Public sector IT | Stable |
| University of Alberta | Research | AI research hub (Amii) |
Edmonton: AI & Machine Learning
| Organization | Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amii | AI research institute | Sister to Mila (Montreal), Vector (Toronto) |
| Google DeepMind | AI research | Partnership with Amii |
| Various startups | AI applications | Growing ecosystem |
Hot Sectors in Alberta (2025)
From Robert Half and local research:
- Fintech: Neo Financial, Benevity, Helcim
- Energy Tech: Digital transformation of oil & gas
- Agritech: Agricultural technology startups
- Healthtech: Growing sector
- AI/ML: Amii ecosystem in Edmonton
- Gaming: BioWare, indie studios
Calgary vs. Edmonton: Which to Choose?
| Factor | Calgary | Edmonton |
|---|---|---|
| Median Tech Salary | $109,652 | $104,339 |
| 1BR Rent | $1,600 | $1,300 |
| Tech Job Growth | 🏆 61% (highest NA) | Strong |
| Fintech Scene | 🏆 Strongest | Smaller |
| Gaming Industry | Smaller | 🏆 BioWare |
| AI Research | Growing | 🏆 Amii hub |
| Government Jobs | Some | 🏆 More (capital) |
| Startup Scene | 🏆 More active | Growing |
| Weather | Cold, chinooks | Colder |
| Lifestyle | More urban | Capital city |
Choose Calgary If:
- You want fintech opportunities (Neo, Benevity, Helcim)
- You prefer more urban environment
- You want highest tech growth market
- You're interested in energy tech innovation
Choose Edmonton If:
- You want lowest cost of living in any major tech hub
- You're interested in AI/ML research (Amii)
- You want gaming careers (BioWare)
- You prefer government job stability
- You're extremely budget-conscious
Alberta vs. Other Canadian Cities
| Factor | Calgary | Edmonton | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $109,652 | $104,339 | $162,000 | $162,622 |
| 1BR Rent | $1,600 | $1,300 | $2,336 | $2,288 |
| Net After Rent | ~$4,600/mo | ~$4,600/mo | ~$5,200/mo | ~$5,400/mo |
| Provincial Tax | None | None | 8% PST | 7% PST |
| Job Volume | Growing | Medium | Highest | High |
| Tech Growth | 🏆 61% | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Weather | Cold | Colder | Cold | Mild |
Key insight: While absolute salaries are lower, Alberta's tax advantages and cheap rent result in comparable (or better) purchasing power.
Job Market Reality Check
The Challenges
From Indeed Hiring Lab (August 2025):
- Tech hiring freeze continues across Canada (third year)
- Junior/standard roles down 25% from 2020 levels
- Senior roles stable (up 5% from 2020)
- Competition is fierce for entry-level positions
What This Means for Alberta
- Less competition than Toronto/Vancouver for local roles
- Fewer total opportunities than major hubs
- Energy industry provides alternative tech-adjacent roles
- Remote work can expand options significantly
In-Demand Skills in Alberta
From local job postings:
- Cloud (AWS, Azure): High demand across sectors
- Full-stack development: React, Node, Python
- Data engineering: Growing with AI focus
- DevOps/SRE: Critical for scaling startups
- Cybersecurity: Growing concern for energy sector
Immigration Considerations
AINP (Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program)
| Stream | Notes |
|---|---|
| Alberta Express Entry | Provincial nomination for Express Entry |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | For workers already in Alberta |
| Tech Pilot | Targets tech workers |
Advantages for International Workers
- Lower competition than Toronto/Vancouver
- Lower cost of living helps with savings
- Growing companies more willing to sponsor
- AINP provides additional pathway to PR
Lifestyle Considerations
Pros of Alberta
- Outdoor recreation: Rockies nearby, skiing, hiking
- Lower cost of living: More disposable income
- No PST: Everything is cheaper
- Young workforce: Energetic culture
- Less traffic: Easier commutes
- Calgary Stampede: Famous annual event
Cons of Alberta
- Cold winters: -20°C to -30°C not uncommon
- Fewer tech events: Smaller ecosystem
- Less diversity: Than Toronto/Vancouver
- Car often needed: Transit not as good
- Smaller social scene: Fewer restaurants, nightlife options
- Economic volatility: Oil price exposure
Weather Reality
| City | Winter Temps | Summer Temps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | -15°C to -25°C | 20°C to 25°C | Chinooks provide winter breaks |
| Edmonton | -20°C to -30°C | 20°C to 25°C | Colder, more consistent |
| Toronto | -10°C to -20°C | 25°C to 30°C | Humid summers |
| Vancouver | 0°C to 5°C | 20°C to 25°C | Mild, rainy |
Action Plan for New Grads
Targeting Calgary
- [ ] Apply to Neo Financial, Benevity, Helcim
- [ ] Check Canada Tech Jobs Calgary
- [ ] Network at Calgary tech meetups
- [ ] Consider energy tech companies for alternative paths
- [ ] Apply to Cisco, IBM for larger company experience
Targeting Edmonton
- [ ] Apply to Intuit, BioWare, CGI
- [ ] Check Canada Tech Jobs Edmonton
- [ ] Connect with Amii for AI opportunities
- [ ] Consider government positions for stability
- [ ] University of Alberta research opportunities
Housing Strategy
Calgary
- [ ] Budget $1,500-1,700 for 1BR
- [ ] Downtown/Beltline for urban lifestyle
- [ ] Northeast for budget
- [ ] Consider car for suburbs
Edmonton
- [ ] Budget $1,200-1,500 for 1BR
- [ ] Downtown for walkability
- [ ] Whyte Ave area for nightlife
- [ ] North Edmonton for maximum savings
Final Thoughts
Alberta is Canada's tech frontier—and the numbers are compelling. Calgary's 61% tech job growth leads North America, while Edmonton offers the lowest operating costs of any major tech hub on the continent. Yes, salaries are lower than Toronto or Vancouver, but so is everything else—and with no PST, your dollar goes further.
The trade-offs: - ✅ North America's highest tech job growth (Calgary) - ✅ Lowest-cost major tech hub (Edmonton) - ✅ No provincial sales tax - ✅ Rent 30-50% cheaper than Toronto/Vancouver - ✅ Less competition for local roles - ✅ Young, energetic workforce - ❌ Lower absolute salaries - ❌ Cold winters (very cold) - ❌ Fewer total job opportunities - ❌ Smaller tech ecosystem - ❌ Car often needed
For those willing to trade big-city amenities for affordability and growth potential, Alberta offers a compelling alternative to the crowded markets of Toronto and Vancouver.
Looking for Alberta tech jobs? Browse open positions in Calgary and Edmonton updated daily.
Data Sources: - CBRE, "Scoring Tech Talent" 2025 Report - Invest Alberta, LinkedIn (November 2025) - Government of Canada Job Bank, Alberta Software Engineer Outlook (December 2025) - Levels.fyi Calgary and Edmonton Compensation Data (January 2026) - Zumper, DailyHive - Alberta Rental Data (December 2025) - Calgary.com, GSK Properties - Rental Guides (2025) - TenantPay, "Average Rent in Canada 2025" - Indeed Hiring Lab, "Canadian Tech Hiring Freeze Continues" (August 2025) - Robert Half, "2025 In-Demand Technology Roles" - Altis Recruitment, "Calgary & Edmonton Career Guide" (September 2025)