Pay by Role
Canada · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Physician Assistant salary

In Canada, a dentist earns about 31% more than a physician assistant $242,849 vs $184,960 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is CAD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Healthcare
Dentist
$242,849/yr
Monthly
$20,261
Hourly
$116
Range
$166,323$336,317
10-yr outlook
+4%
Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$184,960/yr
Monthly
$15,390
Hourly
$89
Range
$135,049$246,025
10-yr outlook
+27%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistPhysician Assistant
Entry (10th)$166,323$135,049
25th$204,586$159,970
Median$242,849$184,960
75th$289,583$215,458
Senior (90th)$336,317$246,025

National Canada figures in CAD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or physician assistant earn more in Canada?
A dentist earns more, at about $344,000 per year vs $262,000 for a physician assistant — roughly 31% ($82,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Canada?
A dentist typically earns $235,600–$476,400, while a physician assistant earns $191,300–$348,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Canada?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dentist averages about $28,700 and a physician assistant about $21,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Canada, a dentist earns about $235,600 while a physician assistant earns about $191,300 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Canada, a dentist earns about $476,400 while a physician assistant earns about $348,500 per year.
Are dentist and physician assistant similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.