Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant salary
In Canada, a physician assistant earns about 4% more than a nurse practitioner — $184,960 vs $177,195 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
Nurse Practitioner$177,195/yr
- Monthly
- $14,754
- Hourly
- $85
- Range
- $129,331–$235,648
- 10-yr outlook
- +45%
Pays more
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
| Percentile | Nurse Practitioner | Physician Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $129,331 | $135,049 |
| 25th | $153,263 | $159,970 |
| Median | $177,195 | $184,960 |
| 75th | $206,421 | $215,458 |
| Senior (90th) | $235,648 | $246,025 |
National Canada figures in CAD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Healthcare comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a nurse practitioner or physician assistant earn more in Canada?
- A physician assistant earns more, at about $262,000 per year vs $251,000 for a nurse practitioner — roughly 4% ($11,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Canada?
- A nurse practitioner typically earns $183,200–$333,800, 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 nurse practitioner averages about $20,900 and a physician assistant about $21,800.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Canada, a nurse practitioner earns about $183,200 while a physician assistant earns about $191,300 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Canada, a nurse practitioner earns about $333,800 while a physician assistant earns about $348,500 per year.
- Are nurse practitioner 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.