DS Salary 2026: $66,932–$183,376 — Defence Scientific Service (Government of Canada)
Effective Date: 2025-10-01 · Verified 2026-04-26
DS rates of pay for all DS (Defence Scientific Service) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $66,932 to $183,376 across 6 levels. Category: Science & Policy. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
| Level | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 | Step 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DS-2 | $66,932 ~$48K net | $72,980 ~$52K net | $82,405 ~$58K net | $84,983 ~$59K net | $88,184 ~$61K net | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DS-3 | $88,184 ~$61K net | $91,396 ~$63K net | $94,607 ~$65K net | $97,813 ~$67K net | $101,026 ~$69K net | $104,240 ~$71K net | $107,451 ~$73K net | — | — | — | — |
| DS-4 | $114,539 ~$78K net | $117,679 ~$80K net | $120,818 ~$81K net | $123,958 ~$83K net | $127,098 ~$85K net | $130,237 ~$87K net | $133,377 ~$88K net | $136,517 ~$90K net | $139,655 ~$91K net | $142,795 ~$93K net | $145,934 ~$95K net |
| DS-5 | $135,182 ~$89K net | $138,367 ~$91K net | $141,559 ~$92K net | $144,748 ~$94K net | $147,939 ~$96K net | $151,126 ~$97K net | $154,684 ~$99K net | $158,212 ~$101K net | $161,688 ~$103K net | $165,155 ~$104K net | — |
| DS-6 | $155,336 ~$99K net | $158,881 ~$101K net | $162,430 ~$103K net | $165,981 ~$105K net | $169,533 ~$107K net | $173,072 ~$108K net | $176,619 ~$110K net | — | — | — | — |
| DS-7 | $169,168 ~$106K net | $172,720 ~$108K net | $176,271 ~$110K net | $179,825 ~$112K net | $183,376 ~$113K net | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Net estimates assume Ontario, no dependents, PSPP Group 2 (post-2013 hire). Use the calculator for your full situation including province, marital status, RRSP, union dues, and pension group.
Select a level for full step breakdown
DS-2
$66,932 – $88,184
$2,574 – $3,392 biweekly (before deductions)
Rates effective from 2025-10-01 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
DS-2 pay raise history (rates from previous collective agreements)
| Effective Date | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-01 | $66,932 | $72,980 | $82,405 | $84,983 | $88,184 |
| 2024-10-01 | $65,620 | $71,549 | $80,789 | $83,317 | $86,455 |
| 2023-10-01 | $64,173 | $69,972 | $79,008 | $81,479 | $84,548 |
| 2022-10-01 | $61,994 | $67,596 | $76,325 | $78,713 | $81,677 |
| 2021-10-01 | $59,158 | $64,503 | $72,834 | $75,112 | $77,941 |
DS – Defence Scientific Service
$66,932 – $183,376
$2,574 – $7,053 biweekly (before deductions)
6 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2025-10-01 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
About the DS Classification
The DS (Defence Scientific Service) group covers scientists and researchers working for the Department of National Defence (DND) and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). DS employees conduct military-relevant research across a wide range of disciplines: cybersecurity, electronic warfare, ballistic protection, human factors, chemical and biological defence, naval architecture, and operational research. DRDC is one of Canada's largest research organizations and the primary employer of DS staff.
DS-01 through DS-03 cover junior to working-level defence scientists. DS-04 through DS-06 are senior scientists and research section heads. DS-07 and above are director-level positions managing major research programs. The DS scale spans from early-career researchers to highly experienced scientists with international reputations in their fields. Most DS positions require graduate degrees, with PhDs common at DS-04 and above.
The DS group is represented by PIPSC. Defence scientific work is unique in the federal government: DS researchers often work on classified projects, have access to specialized military testing facilities, and collaborate closely with allied nations' defence research organizations (particularly the US, UK, and Australia through the TTCP framework). The combination of meaningful research, job security, and pension benefits attracts scientists who want to contribute to national security while maintaining a more stable career path than academic or private-sector research.
DS Tools and Related Resources
DS net pay after federal + provincial tax, CPP, EI, PSPP
Compare with other classificationsSide-by-side DS vs AS, EC, IT, FI, PM
DS raise history vs CPICumulative raise vs Statistics Canada inflation
Other Science & Policy classifications
DS salary — frequently asked questions
What is the DS salary range?
The DS (Defence Scientific Service) salary range is $66,932 to $183,376 per year as of 2025-10-01, across 6 levels (DS-2, DS-3, DS-4, DS-5, DS-6, DS-7). Rates are sourced from publicly published collective agreements.
What does DS stand for in the Government of Canada?
DS is the Treasury Board classification code for Defence Scientific Service positions in the Government of Canada. It covers 6 levels (DS-2, DS-3, DS-4, DS-5, DS-6, DS-7) reflecting different levels of responsibility and seniority.
How much does a DS-2 make?
A DS-2 earns $66,932 (Step 1) to $88,184 (Step 5) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a DS-3 make?
A DS-3 earns $88,184 (Step 1) to $107,451 (Step 7) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a DS-4 make?
A DS-4 earns $114,539 (Step 1) to $145,934 (Step 11) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a DS-5 make?
A DS-5 earns $135,182 (Step 1) to $165,155 (Step 10) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a DS-6 make?
A DS-6 earns $155,336 (Step 1) to $176,619 (Step 7) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a DS-7 make?
A DS-7 earns $169,168 (Step 1) to $183,376 (Step 5) per year as of 2025-10-01. DS-7 is the senior-most level in the DS group.
When was the DS pay scale last updated?
The current DS pay scale on FedPay.ca is effective 2025-10-01, with a total of 45 pay steps across 6 levels. Data is verified against Treasury Board collective agreements regularly.
What is the DS take-home pay after taxes?
DS take-home pay depends on your level, step, province, and pension group. Use the FedPay.ca take-home pay calculator at fedpay.ca/take-home to see your net pay after federal tax, provincial tax, CPP, EI, and Public Service Pension Plan contributions for any DS level and step.