Pay by Role
Canada · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Physician salary

In Canada, a physician earns about 12% more than a dentist $272,499 vs $242,849 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

Healthcare
Dentist
$242,849/yr
Monthly
$20,261
Hourly
$116
Range
$166,323$336,317
10-yr outlook
+4%
Pays more
Healthcare
Physician
$272,499/yr
Monthly
$22,732
Hourly
$131
Range
$174,371$392,370
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistPhysician
Entry (10th)$166,323$174,371
25th$204,586$223,435
Median$242,849$272,499
75th$289,583$332,434
Senior (90th)$336,317$392,370

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or physician earn more in Canada?
A physician earns more, at about $386,000 per year vs $344,000 for a dentist — roughly 12% ($42,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Canada?
A dentist typically earns $235,600–$476,400, while a physician earns $247,000–$555,800 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 about $32,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Canada, a dentist earns about $235,600 while a physician earns about $247,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Canada, a dentist earns about $476,400 while a physician earns about $555,800 per year.
Are dentist and physician 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.