Doctor Salary Canada 2026 (By Specialty & Province)
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
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
| 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
| 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
| 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 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
| 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
