See table for salaries.
Average Optometrists’ Salary in Canada
The table below details the hourly wages for Optometrists.
The Canadian national occupation classification code (NOC) for this role is 3121.
Job titles and exact duties vary in this occupation.
Examples of some job titles are: optometrist and doctor of optometry.
According to the latest figures, the highest hourly average (median) wages are earned in Calgary, Alberta at $55.04 per hour and the lowest average (median) wages are earned in Vancouver / Lower Mainland Southwest, British Columbia at $40.14 per hour.
A typical full-time annual salary for this occupation is in the region of $75,000 – $95,000.
Employment prospects for optometrists are expected to remain very good in Canada. The government forecasts that an aging population will continue to fuel demand for this profession.
Average Hourly (Median) Wages for Optometrists in Canada
| Location | Low Wage $ per hr |
Average Wage $ per hr |
High Wage $ per hr |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary – Alberta(1),(2) | 11.17 | 55.04 | 266.12 | 2011 |
| Edmonton – Alberta(1),(2) | 18.33 | 52.81 | 254.46 | 2011 |
| Vancouver / Lower Mainland Southwest – British Columbia(2) | 10.66 | 40.14 | 124.11 | 2011 |
| Winnipeg – Manitoba | 24.10 | – | 74.60 | 2010 |
| Fredericton – New Brunswick | – | – | – | – |
| Halifax – Nova Scotia | 30.50 | – | 50.25 | 2010 |
| Toronto – Ontario(2) | 19.89 | 50.86 | 97.93 | 2011 |
| Ottawa – Ontario(1),(2) | 21.29 | 53.43 | 97.94 | 2011 |
| Kitchener / Waterloo / Barrie – Ontario(2) | 19.29 | 47.28 | 96.97 | 2011 |
| Windsor / Sarnia – Ontario(1),(2) | 21.29 | 53.43 | 97.94 | 2011 |
| Prince Edward Island | – | – | – | – |
| Montreal – Quebec(1),(2) | 22.47 | 51.30 | 71.20 | 2011 |
| Saskatoon and Rural West – Saskatchewan | – | – | – | – |
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The 2018 full-time average hourly wage rate for professional occupations in health (except nursing), which includes optometrists, is $37.88. The 2018 corresponding median weekly wage rate is $1435, giving an approximate full-time annual salary for this employment sector of $75,000.
Licensing by the provincial or territorial regulatory governing body is required for this occupation.
Currently, this occupation is an eligible occupation for express entry immigration with the federal skilled worker permanent resident visa.
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