High Paying Doctor & Healthcare Jobs in Canada – Salary & Benefits
High Paying Doctor & Healthcare Jobs in Canada: Canada has a problem and it just happens to be your opportunity. Millions of Canadians do not have a regular family doctor and several provinces have hospital emergency rooms that are consistently understaffed. Rural clinics are sometimes closed for days at a time due to there not being anyone available to cover. Yet the population continues to grow and age. If you work in medicine or are thinking about it, what that really means is a huge demand for skilled workers and excellent pay. Doctor jobs in Canada are amongst the highest paid in the nation and many other healthcare jobs offer six figure incomes easily.
In this guide, you will learn the top high paying doctor and healthcare jobs in Canada, how much they make, what benefits they offer, and what steps need to be taken in order to become licensed in the country for both those educated within the country or from abroad. All salary figures referenced are approximate and will change depending upon province of employment, experience, and method of employment, and should be used only as a resource to help in your research.
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Why Healthcare Jobs in Canada Are in Such High Demand
Before getting into the details, you should know why healthcare jobs in Canada are in such high demand. There are three main reasons. First, the population is aging and the baby boomer generation is reaching the ages where they need the most medical care of their lives, including joint replacements, cancer treatment and more. Second, there is a large emptying within the Canadian healthcare system as many doctors and nurses are nearing retirement and not being replaced quickly enough. Third, there is an immigration quota and need for healthcare workers in the country.
Many provinces have begun offering signing bonuses, relocation assistance, expedited licensing and other benefits. The federal government’s Job Bank Canada often lists physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other allied health professionals as occupations with great long term prospects. As a job seeker, this puts you in an enviable position as you often have the ability to choose who you work for, as employers are vying for your skills and expertise.
High Paying Doctor Jobs in Canada
Physicians are at the top of the food chain when it comes to healthcare jobs in Canada. Most doctors in the country are self employed and are paid on a fee for service basis by the relevant provincial health care plan, although there are more salaried positions opening up in family medicine, particularly through a capitation or blended funding model
With that said, the following salary figures are gross figures not including deduction for overhead if self employed, or less overhead if salaried, as many hospital based or salaried community physicians earn less in take home pay due to higher overhead.
Family Physician (General Practitioner)
Family doctors are the backbone of the health care system in Canada and are the most in demand physicians in the country. Average gross income falls somewhere in the range of CAD $250,000 to $400,000, depending on province of practice, with take home pay for those who have overhead typically being in the range of $180,000 to $300,000 per year.
Due to the shortage of family physicians in Canada, many provinces now offer significant sign on bonuses and guaranteed income for the first few years of practice for recent medical school graduates.
Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are typically one of the highest paid physicians in Canada. You can expect to gross somewhere in the range of CAD $350,000 to $550,000 depending on the province and workload. Although you must typically be on call early morning and late evening, the overhead is typically much lower for hospital based physicians due to them not having a private practice.
Surgeon (General, Orthopedic, Cardiac, and More)
Surgical specialties are also some of the highest paid doctor jobs in Canada, with orthopedic, neurosurgeons and cardiac surgeons being amongst the highest earners. You can expect gross billings to range roughly from CAD $350,000 to well above $600,000. Due to long wait lists for many procedures, demand in this field remains strong.
Radiologist
Radiologists typically earn somewhere in the range of CAD $400,000 to $550,000. The nature of the work is becoming more and more remote as many diagnostic procedures are now being done through telemedicine.
Psychiatrist
With the rise of mental health, psychiatrists are in extremely high demand across Canada. You can expect to gross roughly CAD $300,000 to $450,000 as a psychiatrist with many being able to work flexibly in their own private practice or via telepsychiatry.
Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine Physicians
Emergency physicians can often be on shift and then off for a week or more and gross around CAD $300,000 to $450,000, while internal medicine specialists can be found in a broad range of hospital settings and typically gross the most around $250,000 to $400,000.
Resident Physicians
Residents are completing their training in either a rotating or specialty program for between 2-6 years or more in order to become fully licensed physicians. Residents’ pay is often much lower and falls somewhere between CAD $60,000 to $90,000 normally rising with years in training before they enter fully licensed practice.
High Paying Healthcare Jobs in Canada Other Than Doctor
You do not need to go to medical school to complete a high paying healthcare job in Canada. There are several occupations which pay well above the national average and require far less education, experience and training.
Dentist
Dentists often earn around CAD $150,000 to $250,000 with owners of busy practices often earning more. Due to many dentists in Canada being in private practice, business skills are often required.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners have many of the same privileges as physicians, including being able to order and interpret diagnostic tests and prescribe medications. Salaries typically range between around CAD $180,000 to $0__140,000 with higher end figures being possible in more northern or remote areas or in provinces with shortages. Nurse Practitioners are in demand across the country as a way to help address the physician shortage.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists normally earn around CAD $180,000 to $1__130,000. The scope of pharmacy practice has expanded greatly in Canada in recent years, including many provinces allowing pharmacists to prescribe certain medications and administer vaccines.
Registered Nurse (Specialized)
Registered nurses earn between roughly CAD $180,000 to $2__110,000 normally with overtime being an option for those in critical care, operating room and anesthesia support roles, with higher end figures being possible in some areas for specialized nursing. Nursing is also one of the fastest ways to enter the healthcare field if you want a quick education and a good income.
Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists make roughly CAD $180,000 to $3__100,000 on average with those in private practice potentially earning more. Demand for these related health professionals is on the rise as the aging population requires more rehabilitative services.
Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals
MRI technologists, sonographers, radiation therapists and related professionals earn roughly CAD $180,000 to $4__110,000 on average. The required education is typically a college diploma or degree as opposed to a university education.
Healthcare Administrators and Managers
Hospital directors and health services managers earn roughly CAD $180,000 to $5__180,000 or more. If you prefer administrative work to working directly with patients, this is a good career choice for you.
Salary Comparison at A Glance
| Role | Approximate Annual Income (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Surgeon – Specialized | $350,000 – $600,000+ |
| Anesthesiologist | $350,000 – $550,000 |
| Radiologist | $400,000 – $550,000 |
| Psychiatrist | $300,000 – $450,000 |
| Family Physician | $250,000 – $400,000 |
| Dentist | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $100,000 – $140,000 |
| Pharmacist | $100,000 – $130,000 |
| Registered Nurse | $75,000 – $110,000 |
| Physiotherapist | $75,000 – $100,000 |
These figures should only be used as a guideline as salaries can move up and down depending on experience, location and method of employment. Always check the most up to date figures with Job Bank Canada, your relevant medical association and provincial authorities before making a final decision.
Benefits That Come With Healthcare Careers in Canada
While salary is important, there are many other benefits that come with healthcare careers in Canada.
- Job security. Healthcare is a recession proof industry and hospitals and clinics across the country are always looking to fill vacant positions.
- Employer benefits. Salaried healthcare workers typically receive extended benefit packages from employers including health and dental insurance, pension plans (many public sector workers can access wonderful pension plans), vacation time and parental leave top ups.
- Incentives and grants. Many provinces across the country offer return of service agreements where signing bonuses can be as high as $50,000 or more for agreeing to work in a rural or remote community for a specified period of time. Premiums above regular salary rates for remote or rural work are also commonplace.
- Work life balance. Part time work options, locum tenens (substitute) work and telemedicine options mean that you can set your own hours. The independent family doctor market is booming and many physicians choose to work a mix of locum and salaried positions as well as maintain a private practice to maximize their income potential while minimizing time spent at the office.
- Pathway to permanent residency. Healthcare jobs in Canada act as an incredible pathway to permanent residency for internationally trained workers. Canada has targeted healthcare professionals through the Express Entry system and many provinces have healthcare specific nominee programs.
- Path to a good life. Many healthcare professionals choose to settle in Canada permanently as there are wonderful benefits for families including public education, safe communities and universal healthcare for your own family.
How To Become A Doctor In Canada
There are two pathways depending on where you received your medical education.
If You Trained In Canada
You will complete an undergraduate degree, apply to and then attend medical school in order to earn your Doctor of Medicine (MD) designation. You then apply through the Canadian Resident Matching Service to complete a residency in your chosen specialty. Following this, you will write the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination before registering with your local regulatory college.
If You Trained Abroad (International Medical Graduates)
International medical graduates, or IMGs, are permitted to practice medicine in Canada. First you must ensure that your medical school is listed with the World Directory of Medical Schools. Next, you must go through the credentials verification process with the Medical Council of Canada before writing the required medical exams. Following this, you can apply for a residency through the Canadian Resident Matching Service, or other alternatives, before contacting the regulatory college in the province where you wish to practice.
There are now several alternative or practice ready pathways for experienced physicians across several provinces, including assessments for IMGs with qualifications from certain countries. Requirements can change rapidly so it is always recommended that you contact the regulatory college in your chosen province directly to discuss the requirements for licensing.
Becoming A Nurse, Pharmacist Or Other Healthcare Professional
Each occupation has a regulating body which will be responsible for your credential assessment. Nurses, for example, will need to go through the National Nursing Assessment Service before applying to the relevant provincial nursing college. Pharmacists will need to go through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, amongst other assessments. It is important to begin the process early as each can take up to a year or more to complete, including examinations and bridging programs.
Which Provinces Pay The Most?
There is a wide discrepancy in pay and opportunities across the country. Alberta has traditionally been one of the highest paying provinces for physicians, as well as having a strong need for doctors and nurses. Ontario has the greatest job market with the largest number of available positions across the country, particularly in major cities such as Toronto and Ottawa. British Columbia offers great opportunities, although it also has a high cost of living. Saskatchewan and Manitoba offer great incentives for new physicians and nurses.
Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island) has seen a boom in recruitment efforts, with some provinces offering more expedited licensing processes. Quebec has a unique healthcare system and most posts are in Montreal and Quebec City with an emphasis on French language proficiency. Although salary is important, a smaller income in a lower cost of living area can leave you far better off than a larger income in an expensive city.
Tips For Landing A Healthcare Job In Canada
- Begin the credential process as early as possible as it is often the slowest part of obtaining a job in Canada.
- Learn the system. Know the differences between provincial health plans, fee for service and salaried positions.
- Improve language scores. Official language tests are required by many regulatory bodies and for immigration purposes.
- Research job boards. Job Bank Canada, provincial recruitment sites and relevant career pages are all great resources.
- Consider rural and remote work. These posts often offer signing bonuses, faster licensing processes and additional compensation.
- Network. Contact Canadian colleagues in your desired field and engage with relevant professional associations and immigrant networks.
- Avoid scams. No legitimate employer will ask for large fees in advance for a job in Canada. Always verify any recruitment agencies or companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Highest Paying Doctor Job In Canada?
Surgical specialties, including neurosurgery, cardiac surgery and orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology and radiology are typically the highest paid doctor jobs in Canada with gross incomes often exceeding CAD $400,000 per year depending on province and other factors.
How Much Does A Family Doctor Make In Canada?
Family doctors typically earn approximately CAD $180,000 to $6__400,000 in gross income, although take home pay will be significantly lower for self employed physicians due to overhead.
Can Foreign Trained Doctors Work In Canada?
Yes, foreign trained doctors are able to work in Canada. International medical graduates must have their credentials assessed, write relevant medical exams and then apply for a residency through the Canadian Resident Matching Service or other means, then register with the appropriate regulatory body in whichever province they wish to practice in. This process takes time and requirements may vary from province to province.
What Are The Best Healthcare Jobs In Canada Besides Being A Doctor?
Nurse practitioner, pharmacist, dentist, specialized registered nurse, medical imaging technologist and healthcare manager are some of the best healthcare jobs in Canada besides being a doctor.
Do Healthcare Workers In Canada Get Benefits?
Most salaried healthcare workers receive extensive benefit packages from employers, including health and dental insurance, pensions, vacation time and parental leave top ups. Self employed doctors must organize their own benefits but often enjoy higher gross income.
Conclusion: Your Next Step Toward A High Paying Healthcare Career In Canada
Everything points to healthcare jobs in Canada being an incredible opportunity for those looking to work in medicine. Whether you pursue a specialty such as surgery or anesthesiology, or go the quicker and less academic route of a nurse practitioner or pharmacist, there are high paying doctor jobs and healthcare jobs in Canada, with great benefits and the ability to make a real difference in the community. The process can take some time, especially for internationally trained professionals, but thousands of skilled healthcare professionals complete the process successfully every year and put down roots in Canada. Now is a great time to begin your journey toward a high paying healthcare career in Canada. Pick a profession that suits you from this guide, research the regulating body and requirements in your desired province and get started today. Taking it one step at a time is the best way to achieve your goals of working in Canada.
Disclaimer: Salary figures and licensing rules in this article are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm current information with official sources such as Job Bank Canada, provincial regulatory colleges and immigration authorities before making career or relocation decisions.
