Complete guide

How to find software developers in Calgary

Calgary
February 22, 2023
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Calgary is a vibrant and diverse city located in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is the largest city in the province and is home to over 1 million people. The city has a strong economy, excellent public transportation, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. It is known for its numerous festivals, championship sports teams, and stunning scenery. With its thriving economy, vibrant culture, and beautiful scenery, Calgary is an ideal destination for people of all ages. Calgary is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Calgary are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Calgary you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Calgary, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Calgary is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Calgary

The statistics on tech talent in Calgary show that the city is a major hub for tech talent in Canada. According to a 2020 report by CBRE, the city has the third highest concentration of tech talent in Canada. The report also states that the city has seen an annual growth rate of 8.9% in tech talent over the past five years. In addition, the report found that the city was ranked third for the highest concentration of software developers, fourth for artificial intelligence and machine learning, and sixth for game developers. Furthermore, Calgary has the highest concentration of tech talent per capita in the country. These statistics show that Calgary is quickly becoming a major tech hub in Canada.

The tech ecosystem in Calgary

The tech ecosystem in Calgary is rapidly growing and evolving. It is home to a number of innovative tech companies, large and small, including SAIT, Telus, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. The city is also home to many startups, accelerators, incubators, and co-working spaces. There are also a number of universities and colleges in Calgary that offer a variety of technology-related programs. Additionally, Calgary is home to a number of innovation hubs and tech-focused organizations, such as the Creative Destruction Lab at the University of Calgary, the Calgary Digital Exchange, and the Calgary Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Society. The city also plays host to a number of annual events, such as the Calgary International Film Festival, the Calgary Comic Expo, and the Calgary International Game Conference. All of these elements combine to create a vibrant and diverse tech ecosystem.

Best tech meetups in Calgary

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Calgary Tech Meetup
2. Calgary JavaScript Meetup
3. Calgary Machine Learning Meetup
4. Calgary Cloud Computing Meetup
5. Calgary Robotics and AI Meetup
6. Calgary DevOps Meetup
7. Calgary Web Development Meetup
8. Calgary Agile Software Development Meetup
9. Calgary WordPress Meetup
10. Calgary Security Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Calgary

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Leverage your network: Tap into your own network of contacts to find software development talent in Calgary. Ask your contacts if they know of anyone with the right skills.

2. Use online job boards: Use job boards like Indeed, Monster, and the Calgary Job Bank to search for software development talent.

3. Utilize freelance marketplaces: Look for freelancers and remote workers on websites such as Upwork and Fiverr.

4. Hire through a staffing agency: Staffing agencies have extensive networks of software developers and can help you find the right talent quickly.

5. Reach out to universities and colleges: Reach out to local universities and colleges to find students who are looking for internships or part-time work.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Calgary is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Calgary

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Indeed
2. LinkedIn
3. Glassdoor
4. Craigslist
5. Kijiji
6. CareerBuilder
7. ZipRecruiter
8. Monster
9. SimplyHired
10. CalgaryJobs.ca

Best remote job boards to find developers in Calgary

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Upwork
2. Fiverr
3. Craigslist
4. Toptal
5. Guru
6. LinkedIn
7. Glassdoor
8. Freelancer
9. PeoplePerHour
10. Indeed

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Calgary

The average salary for a junior developer in Calgary will vary depending on the company and the type of job, but the national median salary for a junior developer is $64,000. In Calgary, junior developers can expect to earn an average salary of around $65,000 to $70,000 per year. Entry-level junior developers typically earn between $50,000 and $60,000 annually, while experienced junior developers may earn up to $85,000 or more. Salaries also vary depending on the size of the company and the industry. For example, junior developers working in the oil and gas industry may earn higher salaries than those working in the software industry.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Calgary

The average salary for a senior developer in Calgary is between $104,231 and $127,913 per year. This includes a base salary of $96,000, plus bonuses and incentives for a total of $8,231 - $31,913. This salary range can vary depending on experience, education, and specific job requirements. Senior developers in Calgary are typically responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications and systems. They are also responsible for troubleshooting and resolving software issues, as well as providing technical support to users.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Calgary. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Calgary. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Calgary.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party provider that acts as the employer of record for the employees working in Calgary. This allows businesses to outsource the administrative and legal responsibilities that come with hiring, managing, and paying employees.

1. Determine Your Need For an EOR

Before you can use an EOR, you need to determine your need for one. Consider if you need an EOR to manage payroll, comply with employment regulations, or if you need to reduce costs.

2. Research Different EOR Providers

Once you have determined your need for an EOR, you can start researching different EOR providers. Look for providers with experience in the Calgary area and pay attention to their customer service and pricing models.

3. Negotiate Terms

Once you have chosen an EOR provider, you can start negotiating terms. Discuss the services you need, the cost of their services, and the timeline for implementation.

4. Sign the Agreement

Once you have agreed to terms with the EOR provider, you can sign the agreement and start using their services.

Using an EOR in Calgary can simplify your compliance with local employment regulations, reduce costs, and provide better management of your payroll operations.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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