Vancouver has proven its strength in North America’s competitive tech landscape, securing the #10 spot among the top 50 tech talent markets across the U.S. and Canada according to CBRE’s 2025 Scoring Tech Talent report. With a deep pool of skilled workers, strong AI expertise, and one of the most youthful populations in the region, the city continues to exceed expectations.
Vancouver Ranks in the Top 10 Tech Talent Markets
Vancouver scored 61.5 on CBRE’s Tech Talent Scorecard, ranking 10th overall. The city joins Toronto (#3), Waterloo (#7), and Ottawa (#11) as one of Canada’s top performers, highlighting the country’s outsized role in the North American tech ecosystem.
A Leader in Software Engineering Talent
Vancouver boasts the highest concentration of software engineers in the tech industry across North America, with 71% working directly in tech companies. This surpasses even the San Francisco Bay Area (70%) and Calgary (69%), underscoring Vancouver’s role as a hub for core technical expertise.
Strong Artificial Intelligence Workforce
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work, and Vancouver is at the forefront. The city is among the top three AI-specialty markets in Canada, alongside Toronto and Montreal, accounting for 62% of Canada’s AI workforce collectively. Moreover, 44% of Vancouver’s AI-skilled professionals work in the tech industry, one of the highest concentrations in North America.
Competitive Costs and High-Quality Talent
When balancing salary costs against talent quality, Vancouver stands out as one of the best-value markets in North America. CBRE highlights Vancouver, alongside Waterloo, Madison, and Pittsburgh, as offering exceptional cost-to-quality ratios for software engineering talent.
A typical 500-person tech company in Vancouver faces an estimated annual operating cost of US $41.7 million, which is far below U.S. heavyweights like San Francisco (US $87 million) and New York Metro (US $70 million).
Younger Population Driving Growth
Vancouver is also benefitting from demographic momentum. Between 2018 and 2023, the city saw a 17.2% increase in residents in their 20s and a 25.3% increase in residents in their 30s, the highest growth among large Canadian markets. This influx of young professionals strengthens the city’s long-term tech talent pipeline.
Competitive Wages in a Global Context
The average annual wage for Vancouver’s tech talent working in the tech industry is US $80,339, higher than Toronto (US $77,226) and Calgary (US $76,482) but still far below U.S. markets like Seattle (US $186,621) and San Francisco (US $215,072). This wage differential, combined with strong talent quality, makes Vancouver a cost-effective location for global firms.
Real Estate and Tech Demand
Office demand in Vancouver continues to reflect its tech momentum. From Q1 2020 to Q4 2024, office rents in Vancouver grew more than 20%, putting the city in the same growth tier as Austin Texas and South Florida. Despite hybrid work trends, tech clustering is sustaining demand for collaborative office spaces.
Final Thoughts
Vancouver’s combination of world-class software engineering talent, rapid AI adoption, cost competitiveness, and a growing young workforce shows its reputation as a premier global tech hub. For investors, startups, and multinationals alike, the city offers not only a strong talent base but also long-term sustainability in one of the most dynamic markets in North America.
For tailored guidance on securing the right office or industrial space for your tech company, The High Technology Facilities Group (The HTFG) at CBRE is here to help. Reach out to connect!
The HTFG: Blair Quinn, Alain Rivere, Andre Alie Day, Amber Sandhu
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