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Software Engineer Salary in Burnaby (2026)

Is 118,750/year enough to live in Burnaby?

$118,750$86,616 net·$7,218/month

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Housing Affordability
Based on Burnaby market rates
Comfortable
Good financial cushion
Job Openings
149
estimated
Growth Rate
15.3%
annually

Software Engineer Salary Analysis in Burnaby

The tech industry in Burnaby continues to attract top talent, and Software Engineers are among the most sought-after professionals in the market. With an average salary of $118,750/year, Burnaby's tech scene offers above-average compensation compared to the national benchmark of $95,000.

After federal and British-columbia provincial taxes at a combined rate of 27.1%, take-home pay is approximately 86,616/year — or $7,218/month.

Burnaby is one of Canada's more affordable cities, making a software engineer salary go further. With 1-bedroom apartments averaging $2,200/month, the monthly surplus after rent and living expenses is substantial — ideal for building savings or paying down debt faster.

Software Engineer Salary Range in Burnaby

Entry LevelSenior / Specialist
$81,250Avg: $118,750$175,000

Cost of Living in Burnaby

Housing Costs

Average Home Price:$1,050,000
1-Bedroom Rent:$2,200/month
2-Bedroom Rent:$2,900/month
Property Tax Rate:0.28%

City Overview

Cost of Living Index:125 (avg: 100)
Average City Income:$54,000
Unemployment Rate:4.9%
Population:249k

How to Increase Your Software Engineer Salary

1

Obtain cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP) to command higher salaries

2

Build a strong GitHub portfolio — Canadian tech employers actively review it

3

Consider contract roles which often pay 20-40% more than equivalent permanent positions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average software engineer salary in Burnaby?

The average software engineer salary in Burnaby, BC is $118,750 per year as of 2026. This is above the national average of $95,000, primarily due to Burnaby's cost of living index of 125 (Canada average: 100).

How much does a software engineer take home after taxes in Burnaby?

After federal and British-columbia provincial taxes (combined effective rate: 27.1%), a software engineer in Burnaby takes home approximately $86,616/year — that's $7,218/month or $3,331 bi-weekly.

Is $118,750 a good salary in Burnaby?

Burnaby has a high cost of living (index: 125), so $118,750 is a comfortable salary that covers housing and living expenses with room to save.

What is the salary range for software engineers in Burnaby?

Software Engineers in Burnaby typically earn between $81,250 and $175,000 per year, depending on experience, specialization, and employer. Entry-level positions start around $81,250, while senior roles can exceed $175,000.

How fast is the software engineer job market growing in Burnaby?

The software engineer field is growing at approximately 15.3% nationally, which is significantly above average and signals strong future demand. Burnaby currently has an estimated 149 openings, with an unemployment rate of 4.9%.