Pay by Role
Canada · Salary comparison

Psychiatrist vs Registered Nurse salary

In Canada, a psychiatrist earns about 302% more than a registered nurse $351,566 vs $87,538 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
Psychiatrist
$351,566/yr
Monthly
$29,297
Hourly
$169
Range
$240,801$486,897
10-yr outlook
+8%
Healthcare
Registered Nurse
$87,538/yr
Monthly
$7,271
Hourly
$42
Range
$63,889$116,412
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePsychiatristRegistered Nurse
Entry (10th)$240,801$63,889
25th$296,219$75,749
Median$351,566$87,538
75th$419,267$102,011
Senior (90th)$486,897$116,412

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a psychiatrist or registered nurse earn more in Canada?
A psychiatrist earns more, at about $498,000 per year vs $124,000 for a registered nurse — roughly 302% ($374,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Canada?
A psychiatrist typically earns $341,100–$689,700, while a registered nurse earns $90,500–$164,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Canada?
On a monthly basis before tax, a psychiatrist averages about $41,500 and a registered nurse about $10,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Canada, a psychiatrist earns about $341,100 while a registered nurse earns about $90,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Canada, a psychiatrist earns about $689,700 while a registered nurse earns about $164,900 per year.
Are psychiatrist and registered nurse 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.