Cost of Living: Compare Canadian city costs and build a budget framework with our Canadian Cost of Living Guide.
The average veterinarian salary in Canada is $90,000-$130,000 per year. This guide breaks down vet pay by province, practice type, and specialization.
Veterinarian Salary by Province
| Province | New Grad | Experienced | Practice Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $85,000 | $120,000 | $175,000 |
| British Columbia | $90,000 | $125,000 | $180,000 |
| Alberta | $95,000 | $130,000 | $190,000 |
| Quebec | $75,000 | $105,000 | $150,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $90,000 | $120,000 | $170,000 |
| Manitoba | $85,000 | $115,000 | $160,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $80,000 | $110,000 | $155,000 |
| New Brunswick | $78,000 | $105,000 | $150,000 |
| Newfoundland | $85,000 | $115,000 | $160,000 |
| PEI | $75,000 | $100,000 | $145,000 |
| Territories | $110,000+ | $150,000 | $200,000+ |
Salary by Practice Type
| Practice Type | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Small Animal (General) | $90,000-$130,000 |
| Emergency/Critical Care | $110,000-$160,000 |
| Large Animal/Mixed | $95,000-$140,000 |
| Equine | $80,000-$120,000 |
| Food Animal/Livestock | $100,000-$150,000 |
| Government/CFIA | $95,000-$130,000 |
| Industry/Pharmaceutical | $110,000-$160,000 |
| Academic | $90,000-$140,000 |
| Research | $85,000-$130,000 |
| Relief/Locum | $120,000-$180,000 |
Specialist Salaries
| Specialization | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Surgery | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Internal Medicine | $140,000-$220,000 |
| Oncology | $150,000-$230,000 |
| Dermatology | $140,000-$200,000 |
| Cardiology | $150,000-$230,000 |
| Ophthalmology | $140,000-$210,000 |
| Radiology | $160,000-$250,000 |
| Emergency/Critical Care | $130,000-$180,000 |
Salary by Experience
| Experience | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| New Graduate | $80,000-$95,000 |
| 2-5 years | $95,000-$120,000 |
| 5-10 years | $110,000-$140,000 |
| 10+ years | $130,000-$160,000 |
| Practice Owner | $150,000-$300,000+ |
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| $95,000 | $69,500 | $5,790 |
| $120,000 | $84,500 | $7,040 |
| $150,000 | $101,000 | $8,420 |
Practice Ownership Economics
| Metric | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Practice Revenue | $800,000-$2,000,000 |
| Owner Compensation | 15-22% of revenue |
| Owner Salary | $150,000-$350,000 |
| Practice Value | 60-85% of revenue |
| Startup Cost | $300,000-$800,000 |
Education & Debt
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| DVM Program | 4 years |
| Canadian Schools | 5 (WCVM, OVC, Calgary, PEI, Montreal) |
| Tuition (4 years) | $80,000-$120,000 |
| US Program (common) | $200,000-$350,000 |
| Average Debt | $100,000-$200,000 |
Work-Life Balance
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Hours | 40-50 hours/week |
| On-Call | Common, especially rural |
| Emergency Work | High demand, premium pay |
| Burnout Risk | Industry concern |
| Mental Health | Higher suicide rate than average |
Current Job Market
- Shortage: Severe in rural and emergency medicine
- Signing Bonuses: $10,000-$50,000 common
- Loan Repayment: Some employers offer assistance
- Locum Rates: $800-$1,500/day
- Corporate Consolidation: VCA, NVA buying practices
Is Veterinary Medicine a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
- Passion-driven career working with animals
- Strong job security (shortage)
- Practice ownership opportunity
- Growing demand for specialists
- Respected profession
- Various practice settings
Cons:
- High student debt (especially US schools)
- Emotional toll (euthanasia, difficult cases)
- Long hours and on-call requirements
- Compassion fatigue/burnout common
- Difficult client interactions
- Lower pay than human medicine
Related Guides
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy