Pay by Role
Canada · Salary comparison

Pharmacist vs Physician Assistant salary

In Canada, a physician assistant earns about 3% more than a pharmacist $184,960 vs $179,313 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
Pharmacist
$179,313/yr
Monthly
$14,966
Hourly
$86
Range
$139,003$228,659
10-yr outlook
+3%
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

PercentilePharmacistPhysician Assistant
Entry (10th)$139,003$135,049
25th$159,122$159,970
Median$179,313$184,960
75th$203,951$215,458
Senior (90th)$228,659$246,025

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a pharmacist or physician assistant earn more in Canada?
A physician assistant earns more, at about $262,000 per year vs $254,000 for a pharmacist — roughly 3% ($8,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Canada?
A pharmacist typically earns $196,900–$323,900, 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 pharmacist averages about $21,200 and a physician assistant about $21,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Canada, a pharmacist earns about $196,900 while a physician assistant earns about $191,300 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Canada, a pharmacist earns about $323,900 while a physician assistant earns about $348,500 per year.
Are pharmacist 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.