Canada is a popular choice for US companies seeking to expand their workforce. That’s due to the close proximity, cultural similarities, and a highly skilled workforce, all of which make Canada an attractive option.
According to Multiplier data presented in our talent trends tool, 6.4% of overseas hires by US companies are in Canada, making it the third most popular hiring location of all.
By diving into the data, we’ll show you why that is, pointing out the factors that make Canada such an attractive source of talent while explaining how US companies can employ Canadians hassle-free.
Why you should hire in Canada
We’ll start by examining what US businesses most need to know about Canadian talent – namely, the types of worker the country excels in producing.
Talent niches
The following is a list of the roles US companies most frequently hire from Canada. We’ve ordered the list by the volume of hires on the Multiplier platform, with data based on contracts generated between 2020 and 2024.
Role | Median monthly salary |
Software engineer | $11,650 |
Senior software engineer | $12,800 |
Business development manager | $10,100 |
Marketing operations manager | $8,050 |
Community manager | $5,850 |
Copywriter | $4,300 |
Customer success manager | $6,050 |
UX/UI designer | $9,750 |
Web developer | $7,750 |
Director of digital marketing | $10,300 |
The data suggests two distinct trends for Canadian talent. The first is the inclusion of several creative roles, including copywriters, web developers, and UX designers – positioning the country as a suitable source for businesses looking to boost their content production.
Second is the number of managerial roles, suggesting US businesses often look to Canada to fill more senior positions. It’s partly because of this that salaries are highest compared to the four other most popular countries for US firms to hire from: India, the Philippines, England, and Mexico. Clearly, firms are willing to pay the premium required to onboard senior Canadian talent.
Just one example of that is Akra. In a recent case study, the Germany-based medical consultancy outlined its journey to find a worker with the relevant competence based outside of Germany. A candidate in Canada was duly found and hired via the Multiplier platform in a very short period of time.
Popular job boards
It’s easy for us to say Canada is stuffed with talent, but it’s harder to find the individuals with the skills you need for your business.
That’s why we’ve searched our data to reveal the locations Canadian candidates hired via Multiplier were most frequently discovered. Companies in the US hiring from Canada should begin their search with these four key job boards:
What companies in the US hiring from Canada need to know
Still looking for more reassurance before making your next hire Canadian? Here’s some sweeteners.
Canada has the most highly educated workforce in the world, with nearly 58% of Canadians holding a post-secondary education. That makes Canada an ideal source of talent for businesses looking for highly skilled professionals.
Indeed, such is the level of skills that a significant share of Canadian adults, around 35.5%, report being over-skilled for their current job roles – increasing the likelihood of them looking for a job.
Canada’s labor market is also continuing to grow, with projections indicating that the labor force will reach 22.86 million by 2031, further reinforcing Canada’s position as a dynamic and attractive labor market for both domestic and international businesses.
How you should hire in Canada
Employing foreign talent can be a difficult process for US businesses – even when they’re just over the other side of the border.
Traditional approaches like opening an entity require substantial upfront investment as well as ongoing operating and shutdown costs. Those costs often prohibit small businesses from looking abroad for talent, leaving larger companies to sweep up.
There’s also the fact that manually managing compliance in multiple countries increases the possibility of misclassification penalties or other legal issues. Thankfully, there’s a better way.
Where an EOR shines
An Employer of Record (EOR) can take on local risks so that companies in the US hiring from Canada do not have to deal with the compliance challenges of unfamiliar markets. It does so by hiring employees on your behalf while taking on all the compliance challenges of employment in foreign countries.
An EOR handles essential but fiddly tasks like payroll, benefits, and compliance, leaving US companies to focus on more important aspects of their business.
With an EOR, risk is reduced, compliance improved, and efficiency increased – especially with a technology-first EOR firm like Multiplier which leverages self-onboarding tools and automation to lower the costs of transaction.
Making the most of Canadian talent
Canada has a highly skilled workforce, making it ideal for senior hires. Using an EOR can help US companies overcome the obstacles of hiring in the country, enabling them to utilize global talent more efficiently.
Multiplier makes international hiring possible for businesses of all sizes, whether you are seeking employees or contractors. Book a demo today.
