[dezwald]

I find that in canada (toronto, ontario) programmers are not paid near the amounts of programmers in the US.

5 years ago i started at 40K (working in Hamilton). Now living in toronto, and i find that newly graduate programmers start around 50K-60K, and senior programmers make anywhere between 80K-100K.

I feel that living toronto/ontario, programmers are utilized as tradesmen, where they service the industry (corporations, banks, publications, marketing firms etc...)

I just wish there was more of a tech/startup industry in toronto, like there is in California, Boston, New York, etc..

[iqster]

Absolutely correct. I ended up leaving Toronto after I realized this. I'm not sure if it was a good decision or bad. I ended up getting fantastic work experience and a higher number salary. However, my quality of life wasn't the same (because I left behind family and friends, and miss Canada in general). Also, I realized that the salary number doesn't mean much when you live in ridiculously expensive places.

[nchlswu]

You're not considering regional standards and cost of living, though. Even if you consider that, I think what you described is hardly specific to the Toronto Area. Any company without their own "dev shop" or tech culture, regardless of area will consider programmers as tradesmen.

Toronto may be on the low end, but I'm pretty sure the "true" tech companies in the area are much closer to the higher end than you think.

[danssig]

Your health care is a lot cheaper. You have to consider these kinds of issues. The market rates must be as they are for a reason.