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The average doctor salary in Canada is $250,000-$450,000. This guide covers physician pay by specialty, province, and practice model.
Doctor Salary by Specialty
Physician pay in Canada varies enormously by specialty. A family doctor billing $300,000 annually takes home roughly $200,000 after overhead, while a neurosurgeon billing $800,000+ can net over $600,000. The highest-paid specialties tend to be procedure-based — ophthalmologists and orthopedic surgeons earn more per hour because they perform high-volume, well-reimbursed procedures. Cognitive specialties like psychiatry and internal medicine earn less despite comparable training lengths.
| Specialty | Average Gross Billing |
|---|---|
| Family Medicine | $250,000-$350,000 |
| Pediatrics | $270,000-$350,000 |
| Internal Medicine | $300,000-$400,000 |
| Psychiatry | $280,000-$380,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $320,000-$400,000 |
| General Surgery | $400,000-$500,000 |
| Anesthesiology | $380,000-$500,000 |
| Radiology | $400,000-$550,000 |
| Cardiology | $450,000-$600,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $500,000-$700,000 |
| Ophthalmology | $500,000-$800,000 |
| Dermatology | $350,000-$500,000 |
| Neurosurgery | $600,000-$900,000 |
Note: These are gross billings. Net income is typically 40-70% after overhead.
Net vs Gross Income
The gap between what a doctor bills and what they actually take home is significant. Overhead — including clinic rent, staff salaries, equipment, malpractice insurance, and supplies — eats 10-40% of gross billings depending on practice type. Hospital-based surgeons have the lowest overhead because the hospital provides facilities and staff, while family doctors running their own practices face the highest percentage costs.
| Practice Type | Gross | Overhead | Net Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-in clinic | $350,000 | 10-15% | $300,000 |
| Family practice | $320,000 | 25-35% | $220,000 |
| Specialist (office) | $500,000 | 30-40% | $320,000 |
| Surgeon (hospital) | $600,000 | 10-20% | $500,000 |
Doctor Salary by Province
Provincial fee schedules create meaningful differences in physician compensation across Canada. Alberta and Saskatchewan tend to pay the most, partly to attract doctors to less urban settings. Quebec historically pays the least for specialists, though family medicine has been boosted by recent reforms. The territories offer premium pay — often $350,000+ for family doctors — to compensate for remote living conditions and limited locum relief.
| Province | Family Medicine | Specialists |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $280,000 | $400,000+ |
| Alberta | $320,000 | $450,000+ |
| British Columbia | $270,000 | $380,000+ |
| Quebec | $250,000 | $350,000+ |
| Saskatchewan | $290,000 | $420,000+ |
| Manitoba | $280,000 | $400,000+ |
| Nova Scotia | $260,000 | $380,000+ |
| Territories | $350,000+ | $500,000+ |
Resident Salary (Training)
| Year | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| PGY-1 | $60,000-$70,000 |
| PGY-2 | $65,000-$75,000 |
| PGY-3 | $70,000-$80,000 |
| PGY-4 | $75,000-$85,000 |
| PGY-5+ | $80,000-$95,000 |
Take-Home Pay After Incorporation
Most Canadian physicians earning above $200,000 incorporate their practice for substantial tax savings. The small business tax rate of roughly 12% on the first $500,000 of active business income is far lower than the top personal marginal rate of 48-54%. By leaving money inside the corporation and paying themselves a salary or dividends, doctors can defer significant tax and invest the difference. Without incorporation, a physician billing $500,000 would lose over half to personal income tax.
Most doctors incorporate for tax advantages:
| Gross Billing | Corporation Tax | Personal Draw | Total Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | ~12% on retained | $150,000 | ~35% overall |
| $400,000 | ~12% on retained | $180,000 | ~32% overall |
| $500,000 | ~12% on retained | $200,000 | ~30% overall |
Without incorporation, top earners pay 50%+ marginal rate.
Path to Becoming a Doctor
| Stage | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 4 years | $30,000-$60,000 |
| Medical School | 4 years | $80,000-$120,000 |
| Residency | 2-7 years | Paid ($60K-$90K) |
| Fellowship (optional) | 1-2 years | Paid |
| Total | 10-17 years | $150K-$300K debt |
Earning Potential Over Career
| Career Stage | Typical Income |
|---|---|
| Age 25-30 (residency) | $70,000 |
| Age 30-35 (new attending) | $300,000 |
| Age 35-45 (established) | $400,000+ |
| Age 45-55 (peak) | $450,000+ |
| Age 55+ (winding down) | $300,000 |
US vs Canada Comparison
American doctors generally earn more in raw dollars, especially specialists. However, the comparison is more nuanced than it appears. Canadian doctors pay far less for malpractice insurance (the CMPA system is dramatically cheaper than US litigation-driven premiums), graduate with roughly half the student debt, and benefit from a healthcare system that covers their own medical expenses. When adjusting for these factors and work-life balance, the gap narrows considerably.
| Factor | Canada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine | $280,000 | $250,000 USD |
| Specialists | $400,000 | $450,000+ USD |
| Malpractice insurance | $5,000-$50,000 | $20,000-$200,000 |
| Student debt | $150,000 | $300,000+ USD |
| Work-life balance | Better | Worse |
Is Being a Doctor Worth It?
Pros:
- High income potential
- Job security
- Meaningful work
- Respected profession
- Flexibility (private practice)
- Strong pension options
Cons:
- 10-17 years of training
- Significant debt
- High stress/burnout
- Bureaucracy
- On-call requirements
- Delayed wealth building
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