Physician vs Physician Assistant salary
In Canada, a physician earns about 47% more than a physician assistant — $272,499 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
Physician$272,499/yr
- Monthly
- $22,732
- Hourly
- $131
- Range
- $174,371–$392,370
- 10-yr outlook
- +3%
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 | Physician | Physician Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $174,371 | $135,049 |
| 25th | $223,435 | $159,970 |
| Median | $272,499 | $184,960 |
| 75th | $332,434 | $215,458 |
| Senior (90th) | $392,370 | $246,025 |
National Canada figures in CAD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Healthcare comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a physician or physician assistant earn more in Canada?
- A physician earns more, at about $386,000 per year vs $262,000 for a physician assistant — roughly 47% ($124,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Canada?
- A physician typically earns $247,000–$555,800, 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 physician averages about $32,200 and a physician assistant about $21,800.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Canada, a physician earns about $247,000 while a physician assistant earns about $191,300 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Canada, a physician earns about $555,800 while a physician assistant earns about $348,500 per year.
- Are physician 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.