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The average optometrist salary in Canada is $100,000-$150,000 per year. This guide breaks down optometrist pay by province, practice type, and ownership status.
Optometrist Salary by Province
| Province | Associate | Practice Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $120,000 | $220,000 |
| British Columbia | $125,000 | $230,000 |
| Alberta | $130,000 | $250,000 |
| Quebec | $100,000 | $180,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $120,000 | $210,000 |
| Manitoba | $115,000 | $200,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $110,000 | $190,000 |
| New Brunswick | $105,000 | $185,000 |
| Newfoundland | $115,000 | $200,000 |
| PEI | $100,000 | $175,000 |
| Territories | $150,000+ | $280,000+ |
Salary by Employment Type
| Type | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Corporate (Costco, Walmart) | $100,000-$140,000 |
| Private Practice Associate | $110,000-$160,000 |
| Partnership | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Solo Practice Owner | $180,000-$300,000 |
| Multi-Location Owner | $300,000-$500,000+ |
| Locum/Fill-in | $700-$1,000/day |
Salary by Experience
| Experience | Associate Salary |
|---|---|
| New Graduate | $95,000-$110,000 |
| 2-5 years | $110,000-$130,000 |
| 5-10 years | $130,000-$150,000 |
| 10+ years (Associate) | $140,000-$170,000 |
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| $120,000 | $84,500 | $7,040 |
| $150,000 | $101,000 | $8,420 |
| $220,000 | $139,000 | $11,580 |
Associate Payment Structures
| Model | Details | Typical Income |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | Fixed annual pay | $100,000-$130,000 |
| Per Diem | Daily rate | $600-$900/day |
| Production | % of billings | $120,000-$180,000 |
| Hybrid | Base + production | $110,000-$160,000 |
Practice Ownership Economics
| Metric | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Gross Revenue | $500,000-$1,200,000 |
| Net Profit Margin | 25-35% |
| Owner Take-Home | $180,000-$350,000 |
| Practice Value | 50-70% of gross |
| Startup Cost | $400,000-$700,000 |
| Buy-in Cost | $200,000-$500,000 |
Billing & Revenue
| Service | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Eye Exam | $100-$150 |
| Contact Lens Fitting | $150-$250 |
| Medical Co-management | $75-$200 |
| Glasses Sale (Markup) | 100-300% |
| Contact Lens Sale | 30-50% margin |
Exams per day: 12-25 depending on practice type.
Corporate vs Private Practice
| Factor | Corporate | Private Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Salary | Higher | $95,000-$110,000 |
| Ceiling | $140,000 | Unlimited |
| Ownership Path | No | Yes |
| Hours | Set | Flexible |
| Patient Volume | High | Variable |
| Autonomy | Limited | Full |
Education Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 3-4 years (science prereqs) |
| OD Program | 4 years |
| Schools | Waterloo, Montreal |
| Tuition | $20,000-$30,000/year |
| Licensing | National + Provincial exams |
Is Optometry a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
- Excellent work-life balance
- High income potential (ownership)
- Growing scope of practice
- No hospital/on-call requirements
- Low physical demands
- Patient relationships
Cons:
- Limited Canadian school spots (2)
- High startup costs for practice
- 4-year graduate program
- Competition from corporate chains
- Declining optical margins
- Saturation in urban markets
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