With Canada’s growing and aging population, pharmacists play an increasingly vital role in the nation’s healthcare system. As frontline healthcare providers, pharmacists contribute to public health through medication management, vaccine administration, and expertise for patients and medical teams.
This guide examines all aspects of the average pharmacist salary in Canada and its position in the national average salaries scale. Let’s explore key earnings statistics, regional variations, top employers, and factors that impact salary growth for pharmacy professionals.
What are the Average Pharmacist Salaries in Canada?
Pharmacist salaries in Canada can vary significantly depending on location and years of experience. However, examining national salary averages provides a baseline for earnings potential across the country.
According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, the national average salary for pharmacists is $105,799 annually, which is higher than the overall national average salary ($59,300). When looking at hourly wages, pharmacists earn an average of $37 to $65 per hour, depending on the specific province or territory where they practice.
5 key factors create significant differences in pharmacist salaries across Canada. Gaining a strong understanding of these variables is essential for any pharmacist looking to maximize their income potential throughout their career.
Pharmacist Salaries Based on Geographic Location
Where pharmacists choose to practice in Canada substantially influences their earning potential. Major urban cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal tend to offer the highest base salaries for pharmacists to help offset elevated living costs.
For example, according to recent data:
| Calgary, AB | $121,981 per year |
| Ottawa, ON | $120,734 per year |
| Victoria, BC | $119,739 per year |
These major metro areas boast the highest pharmacist salaries due to intense competition among employers to attract top talent in healthcare.
Conversely, rural and remote regions of the country often struggle more with recruitment. As a result, they may offer incentives like signing bonuses, loan forgiveness programs, subsidized housing, and moving stipends to attract pharmacists. However, the base salary in rural areas may still be 10-20% lower than in major cities.
Pharmacist Salaries Based on Experience Level
A pharmacist’s years of experience dramatically impact their salary potential. Those who can demonstrate extensive expertise and specialized skills gained through many years of practice are better positioned to demand higher compensation from employers.
Entry-level pharmacists, who have 0-2 years of experience and are just beginning their careers, typically earn around $86,100 per year on average. Their hourly wages generally range from $37 to $45, reflecting their recent transition from school to professional practice.
Mid-level pharmacists with 5-10 years of experience see a substantial increase in earnings, averaging approximately $158,700 annually. Their hourly rates range from $70 to $85. These professionals often take on greater responsibilities, such as advanced clinical duties or managerial roles, contributing to their higher pay.
Senior pharmacists with 20 or more years of experience are at the peak of their earning potential. These highly experienced professionals earn an average of $223,700 annually, with hourly wages typically ranging from $95 to $120. Their extensive expertise and specialized skills command premium compensation in the field.
Pharmacist Salaries Based on Education Credentials
Pursuing education above and beyond the minimum requirements to become a licensed pharmacist can also boost earning power:
- Completing a Master’s degree in a specialty like Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmacology can increase salaries by 15-20%.
- Earning coveted certifications like the Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) credential signals advanced expertise to employers.
- Residencies, clinical diplomas, and other training add capabilities that qualify for higher-paying roles.
Pharmacist Salaries Based on Specializations and Certifications
Specializing in a clinical area like oncology, geriatric care, or pediatrics demonstrates advanced expertise in managing medications for specific populations. Gaining certifications in these specialties equips pharmacists for the highest-paying clinical and hospital-based roles.
For instance, a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist can earn 20% more than a general retail pharmacist, averaging around $125,000 annually with experience.
Pharmacist Salaries Based on Work Role and Environment
The type of employer also impacts a pharmacist’s salary potential. According to data, pharmacists in public sector roles earn an average of approximately 6% higher salaries.
| Retail Pharmacist | $104,786 per year |
| Pharmacist Manager | $127,289 per year |
| Clinical Pharmacist | $123,630 per year |
| Hospital Pharmacist | $112,609 per year |
| Pharmacist Assistant | $45,240 per year |
By understanding how these diverse factors influence income, pharmacists can make informed career moves to maximize their salary potential.
What are the Highest Paying Provinces and Cities for Pharmacists in Canada?
Significant regional variations emerge when examining average pharmacist salaries across Canada. Certain provinces and metropolitan areas offer the highest pay to attract top talent in this high-demand profession.
Highest-Paying Provinces
The remote northern regions of Canada currently offer some of the most lucrative pharmacist salaries to incentivize recruitment:
| Nunavut | $151,809 per year |
| Northwest Territories | $147,402 per year |
| Yukon | $125,063 per year |
These sparsely populated territories struggle to attract healthcare professionals and compete for talent by offering Canada’s highest pharmacist pay.
Other top-paying provinces include:
| Alberta | $114,227 per year |
| Quebec | $114,511 per year |
| Ontario | $103,647 per year |
Alberta and Quebec’s high demand for pharmacists and relatively high living costs explain their competitive salaries.
Highest-Paying Cities
Looking at specific cities and metro regions, the highest pharmacist salaries are concentrated in western Canada’s urban centers:
| Calgary, AB | $121,981 per year |
| Edmonton, AB | $121,012 per year |
| Saskatoon, SK | $119,728 per year |
| Victoria, BC | $119,739 per year |
| Winnipeg, MB | $120,085 per year |
Calgary and Edmonton offer pharmacists over $120,000 per year to attract talent. Cities like Saskatoon, Victoria, and Winnipeg also hover close to $120,000, demonstrating the demand.
In comparison, major eastern cities pay slightly less on average:
| Toronto, ON | $106,970 per year |
| Ottawa, ON | $120,734 per year |
| Montreal, QC | $114,511 per year |
In summary, Canada’s rural and northern regions pay the most to incentivize pharmacists to practice in remote areas with staff shortages. Meanwhile, urban centers with high costs of living, especially in western provinces, also offer competitive salaries.
Source: https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/salary-for-pharmacists
How to Become a Pharmacist in Canada?
Becoming a licensed pharmacist requires a 4-year Bachelor of Pharmacy degree or a 5-6-year Doctor of Pharmacy program at an accredited university. After earning their degree, candidates must pass national qualifying exams administered by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada and apply for provincial licensing. Advanced degrees like a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences and certifications like the Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist credential can provide specialized expertise leading to higher-level clinical or hospital roles.
Transitioning into leadership and management positions like pharmacy director or executive also increases earning potential and responsibilities. As pharmacists build skills, gain specializations, and take on leadership roles over their careers, they open up opportunities to maximize salaries and pursue diverse clinical, research, or executive pharmacy positions. Consistently negotiating higher pay and benefits based on growing expertise and performance is another avenue for salary growth over the long term.
How to Negotiate a Higher Salary as a Pharmacist in Canada?
One of the most crucial steps when seeking a new pharmacist role is negotiating your salary and total compensation package. By preparing effectively, pharmacists can maximize their earnings potential.
Research Industry Standards
Leverage online salary databases like Neuvoo, Indeed, or Glassdoor to research typical pay ranges for your role, experience level, and geographic region. This data equips you to benchmark competitive salaries.
Highlight Specialized Skills
Demonstrate how your niche expertise, certifications (e.g. BCPS), and experience make you a uniquely valuable candidate. Provide concrete examples where you applied specialized skills or training to benefit patients and employers.
Align Skills to Employer Needs
Discuss how your specific competencies and accomplishments directly align with the employer’s needs. Link your abilities to the particular problems the pharmacy needs to solve. Showcasing this fit builds leverage.
Consider Alternative Benefits
If the employer cannot meet your desired base salary, negotiate for other meaningful benefits like:
- Professional development funding for conferences and courses
- Flexible scheduling options
- Additional vacation time or personal days
- Signing bonuses or annual performance bonuses
- Early salary review dates to reassess compensation
- Commuting stipends or transportation benefits
- Tuition reimbursement for advanced pharmacy degrees
These alternatives provide tangible value if base salary increases aren’t feasible initially.
With preparation and strategic focus on your specialized expertise, pharmacists can negotiate optimal compensation packages.
Curious about other professions' salaries in Canada? Learn more here:
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The Bottom Line
A career as a pharmacist in Canada promises strong job prospects and competitive salaries. While average pharmacist pay varies regionally, those who proactively gain experience, pursue specializations, and negotiate skillfully can maximize their earning potential.
We hope this guide provided helpful insights into the salary landscape for pharmacy professionals. Contact us if you have any other questions about launching or advancing your pharmacist career in Canada.
FAQs about Average Pharmacist Salaries in Canada
Here are the FAQs related to the average pharmacist salaries in Canada:
How much does a pharmacist make per year in Canada?
According to recent data, the average annual salary for pharmacists across Canada is $115,211 per year. Salaries can range from $86,100 for entry-level roles to over $223,700 annually for senior pharmacists with extensive experience.
What province pays pharmacists the highest salary in Canada?
The northern territories of Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon currently offer the highest average pharmacist salaries in Canada, ranging from $125,063 to $151,809 per year. These regions pay top dollar to attract talent.
Where are the highest paying cities for pharmacists in Canada?
Major metro regions in western Canada tend to offer the highest pharmacist salaries, including Calgary ($121,981), Edmonton ($121,012), Saskatoon ($119,728), and Victoria ($119,739) per year on average.
Why do pharmacist salaries vary so much across Canada?
Key factors like geographic location, years of experience, specializations, education credentials, and public vs private sector explain the large variances in pharmacist pay across different provinces and cities in Canada.
What can pharmacists do to increase their salary potential?
Pursuing specializations, advanced certifications, leadership roles, and negotiating skillfully provide clear paths for pharmacists to maximize their earning potential over the course of their careers.
