The average occupational therapist salary in Canada is $70,000-$95,000 per year. This guide breaks down OT pay by province, practice setting, and specialization.
Table of Contents
Occupational Therapist Salary by Province
Province
Entry Level
Experienced
Senior/Manager
Ontario
$68,000
$88,000
$105,000
British Columbia
$70,000
$90,000
$108,000
Alberta
$75,000
$95,000
$115,000
Quebec
$60,000
$78,000
$92,000
Saskatchewan
$68,000
$85,000
$100,000
Manitoba
$65,000
$82,000
$98,000
Nova Scotia
$62,000
$78,000
$92,000
New Brunswick
$60,000
$75,000
$90,000
Newfoundland
$65,000
$82,000
$95,000
PEI
$58,000
$72,000
$88,000
Territories
$85,000+
$105,000
$125,000
Salary by Practice Setting
Setting
Salary Range
Hospital (Acute Care)
$72,000-$92,000
Rehabilitation Centre
$70,000-$90,000
Community Health
$68,000-$85,000
School Board
$70,000-$90,000
Mental Health
$70,000-$88,000
Private Practice
$85,000-$140,000
Home Health
$72,000-$92,000
Long-Term Care
$68,000-$85,000
Insurance/Medico-legal
$85,000-$120,000
Ergonomics/Corporate
$80,000-$110,000
Salary by Experience
Experience
Salary Range
New Graduate (0-2 years)
$65,000-$75,000
2-5 years
$75,000-$88,000
5-10 years
$85,000-$100,000
10+ years
$95,000-$115,000
Manager/Director
$100,000-$130,000
Salary by Specialization
Specialization
Average Salary
Pediatric
$75,000-$95,000
Hand Therapy
$80,000-$105,000
Mental Health
$72,000-$90,000
Neuro Rehabilitation
$78,000-$98,000
Geriatric
$72,000-$90,000
Driving Rehabilitation
$80,000-$100,000
Workplace/Ergonomics
$82,000-$110,000
Medico-legal/Assessments
$90,000-$130,000
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
Gross Salary
Annual Take-Home
Monthly Net
$75,000
$56,500
$4,710
$90,000
$66,000
$5,500
$110,000
$78,500
$6,540
Private Practice Income
Factor
Details
Session Rate
$130-$200/session
Assessment Rate
$300-$800+
Sessions/Week
20-30 (full practice)
Gross Revenue
$130,000-$280,000
Overhead (25-35%)
$32,500-$98,000
Net Income
$90,000-$180,000
Benefits (Hospital/Public)
Benefit
Typical Value
Pension
HOOPP/OMERS (defined benefit)
Health/Dental
100% employer-paid
Sick Leave
12-18 days/year
Vacation
3-5 weeks
Prof Development
$1,500-$2,500/year
Education Requirements
Requirement
Details
Degree
Master of Occupational Therapy
Duration
2-2.5 years (post-undergrad)
Undergraduate
Any (often Health Sci)
Exam
NOTCE (National OT Certification Exam)
Licensure
Provincial registration required
Is Occupational Therapy a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
Strong demand, excellent job security
Meaningful client impact
Variety of practice settings
Private practice potential
Good work-life balance
Growing specializations
Cons:
Master’s degree required
Competitive program entry
Documentation burden
Physical demands (some settings)
Insurance/funding limitations