Working in the healthcare field is often a rewarding, exciting and in-demand job. Hours can be long and unpredictable, and at times, tasks can go unrecognised. That being said, the Canadian healthcare system could not thrive and help people every day if not for the dedication of its respected professionals.

There are many roles and positions in every hospital, clinic, and medical setting. Often, people only think of ‘doctors and nurses’ in these settings, however, physician assistants are vital in achieving a well-staffed, organized and pleasant clinic experience for patients. 

But how much is a Canadian physician assistant salary? Is there enough demand in the field? In this article we break down the role of a physician assist, the average salary expectations and where best to find jobs. 

What does a Physician Assistant do?

A physician assistant is a highly educated individual, trained in the same medical model as doctors, but without the residency component, thus spending less time in school. They are educated, caring and insightful individuals who engage with patients, assist the primary physician and also operate autonomously within their own team. 

If you are passionate about working in the healthcare field, excited to work one-on-one with patients, and have the skills/education (or are looking to attain them) required for the job, a career as a physician assistant may be for you.

A physician assistant will use their high level of education and knowledge to help people daily by:● working under the supervision of a licensed physician● advising patients on their condition● performing physicals, assessments and recording patient history● discussing a diagnosis or creating a treatment plan (that was approved by the supervising physician)● ordering tests and lab work ● investigateing conditions, symptoms and interpreting results● assisting in surgeries and procedures (in the operating room, and/or pre-op and post-op)● prescribing medication 

How is a Physician Assistant different from a doctor or nurse? 

Physician assistants are qualified medical professionals who work in collaboration with doctors. They are not nurses, nor are they physicians; their position is entirely unique. They work under the direct supervision of physicians and although the role is flexible, they are ultimately there to assist a physician with any medical-related work. The physician they report to takes responsibility for the interactions in the clinic and makes decisions regarding patient well-being, procedures and diagnoses. 

When compared to nurses, physician assistants focus more on disease management (instead of patient management) and can be specialized in certain fields like dermatology or emergency medicine. They are also allowed to prescribe medications and diagnose patients. 

How much is a Physician Assistant Salary? 

Typically, a physician assistant in Canada earns a respectable salary. Of course, this can depend on your level of experience, additional education, type of clinic/workplace and where you are located geographically. 

The average annual salary is $120,000, whereas the average hourly salary is around $57.50/hour. 

Here’a a general breakdown across Canada based on a 37.5 hour work week. 

**Our salary figures are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees via talent, payscale and erieri. 

How can I increase my physician assistant salary?

Most people want to strive toward earning a top-tier salary in their field. While this is a great goal, it’s important to understand that provincial averages and national median salaries are not definitive; a physician assistant salary can depend on many factors. 

Therefore, if you want to earn the highest amount possible, consider the following: 

Type of workplace
A private or specialized clinic, such as pediatrics or geriatrics, may offer a different physician assistant salary than a hospital, physician’s office, or emergency room setting. 

Similarly, long-term employment in one clinic, short-term contracts, teaching positions and positions across multiple clinics are all possible routes to take as a physician assistant. While the number of possible options for work can provide great flexibility, it can have an impact on your salary. For example, long-term/permanent positions may offer a set salary with steady increases annually, whereas short-term contracts may offer bonuses or other incentives.

Teaching (in physician assistant programs) is another area of work many senior-level physician assistants immerse themselves into, and these positions can range in pay depending on the institution, delivery mode and contract.

Type of hours/shift work
Consider factoring in overtime pay, as extended hours are often incentivized with additional pay, as well as if a position is salaried, has potential for bonuses, includes benefits or is paid hourly.

Many physical assistant positions are salaried. However, depending on their employment status (part-time, on-call, or full time) and level of experience, a physician assistant can make anywhere from $29.00-$70.00/hourly, respectively. 

Level of expertise 
Some physician assistants who have been in their position for less than five years may earn less income compared to a physician assistant with decades of experience. 

Additionally, those who earn a Master’s degree or further their education may be entitled to a higher pay grade, but again, this depends on each workplace.

The location of the workplace within the province
Canada is a large and diverse country and across each province, there may be unique opportunities in a variety of settings, including large cities, suburban communities or rural areas. 

Remote communities may offer different physician assistant salaries. Whether they are lower or higher than populated areas often depends on the position itself; however, many rural or northern communities offer attractive salaries, as well as a lower cost of living.

Where to find Physician Assistant jobs

Whether you’ve already graduated from your Physician Assistant program or are planning ahead for your potential future career, there are plenty of sources available to find the physician assistant job that best suits you. 

Visiting Physician Jobs Canada is a great place to start, as our website is tailored specifically to jobs in the medical field and we have a large demand of physician assistant jobs. Here you can browse openings, as well as submit your CV and information so that potential employers have the opportunity to review you as an applicant. Recruitersuse our website often and it’s a great idea to create a profile so they can contact you directly.

LinkedIn is another useful source for discovering new employment opportunities. Not only can you create a profile that outlines all of your educational and employment backgrounds, you have the ability to customize your page, edit as you need to, control how you represent yourself, connect with colleagues and potential employers, and search for physician assistant jobs in your area. 

Indeed is another popular platform used by many seeking employment as you can search for physician assistant jobs using keywords, and also use advanced search settings to customize your location, salary preferences and to find the most recent postings. The only downside is that (unlike our job board) Indeed isn’t specific to the medical field and your search may come up with irrelevant jobs. 

Aside from searching online, networking with colleagues, friends and physicians is another fantastic way to discover employment opportunities. Making quality in-person connections while you are in school, in a placement, or in your paid position(s) as a physician assistant is vital, as opportunities can arise at any moment, and it’s always helpful to have a few references. 

Conclusion 

The physician assistant salary in Canada averages around $120,000 or $57.50 /hour. There’s quite a lot of demand and flexibility in the role. You can choose to work 9-5-type schedules, rotating shift work, or short-term contracts.

You’ll find demand in hospitals and clinics but can expand your experience to work in a variety of facilities, including private practice and education. 

The healthcare system benefits greatly from physician assistants as they help alleviate some of the pressure from the physician and allow for smooth daily operation and patient communication in a variety of clinical settings. Besides the amazing salary, physician assistants have flexibility in their work setting and can sub-specialize in multiple areas to ensure a long and interesting career.