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The average pharmacist salary in Canada is $95,000-$120,000 per year. This guide breaks down pharmacist pay by province, practice setting, and experience.
Pharmacist Salary by Province
| Province | Average | Entry Level | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $115,000 | $95,000 | $130,000 |
| Ontario | $105,000 | $88,000 | $125,000 |
| British Columbia | $108,000 | $90,000 | $125,000 |
| Quebec | $95,000 | $78,000 | $115,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $110,000 | $92,000 | $125,000 |
| Manitoba | $105,000 | $88,000 | $120,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $100,000 | $82,000 | $118,000 |
| New Brunswick | $98,000 | $80,000 | $115,000 |
| Newfoundland | $102,000 | $85,000 | $120,000 |
| PEI | $95,000 | $78,000 | $112,000 |
| Territories | $130,000+ | $110,000 | $150,000 |
Salary by Practice Setting
| Setting | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Community/Retail | $105,000 | $50 |
| Hospital | $100,000 | $48 |
| Clinical Pharmacist | $110,000 | $53 |
| Pharmacy Manager | $125,000 | $60 |
| Long-Term Care | $108,000 | $52 |
| Industry (Pharma) | $115,000 | $55 |
| Government | $95,000 | $46 |
| Academia | $90,000 | $43 |
Salary by Experience
| Experience | Salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| New grad (0-2 years) | $88,000 | $42 |
| 2-5 years | $100,000 | $48 |
| 5-10 years | $112,000 | $54 |
| 10+ years | $120,000+ | $58+ |
| Pharmacy Owner | $150,000-$300,000+ | Varies |
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| $95,000 | $69,500 | $5,790 |
| $110,000 | $78,500 | $6,540 |
| $125,000 | $87,000 | $7,250 |
Pharmacy Owners
Pharmacy owners can earn significantly more:
| Ownership Type | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Single Store Owner | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Multi-Store Owner | $250,000-$500,000+ |
| Franchise Owner | $120,000-$200,000 |
Note: Ownership requires significant capital investment ($300K-$1M+).
Benefits & Compensation
| Benefit | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Health/Dental | Full coverage |
| RRSP Matching | 3-5% |
| Continuing Education | $1,500-$3,000/year |
| Paid Vacation | 3-4 weeks |
| Overtime Pay | Common in retail |
Job Market Outlook
- Demand: Steady, growing with aging population
- Retail saturation: Some urban markets competitive
- Expanding scope: Injectable medications, prescribing authority
- Telehealth: Growing opportunities
Is Pharmacy a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
- Stable, recession-resistant
- Good work-life balance (hospital)
- Expanding scope of practice
- Ownership opportunities
- Respected profession
Cons:
- Retail can be demanding
- Student debt from 4-year program
- Standing for long hours
- Dealing with difficult customers
- Corporate pressure on metrics
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