See table for salaries.

Average Veterinarian Salary in Canada

The table below details the hourly wages for Veterinarians.

The Canadian national occupation classification code (NOC) for this role is 3114.

Job titles and exact duties vary in this occupation.

Examples of some job titles are: veterinarian, veterinary pathologist and veterinary inspector.

According to the latest figures, the highest hourly average (median) wages are earned in Calgary – Alberta at $79.67 per hour.

A typical full-time annual salary for this occupation is in the region of $95,000 – $140,000.

Employment prospects for veterinarians are good in Canada. Government data indicates that the labour market for this profession will be balanced for the near future.

Average Hourly (Median) Wages for Veterinarians in Canada

Location Low Wage
$ per hr		 Average Wage
$ per hr		 High Wage
$ per hr		 Year
Calgary – Alberta* – 79.67 151.44 2019
Edmonton – Alberta*(1) – 52.00 151.44 2019
Vancouver / Lower Mainland – British Columbia(1)(2) – 43.73 73.75 2016
Winnipeg – Manitoba(1),(2) – 44.51 66.32 2016
Fredericton – New Brunswick(3),(2) – 43.62 71.62 2016
Halifax – Nova Scotia(1),(2) – 37.56 53.51 2016
Toronto – Ontario(2) – 41.93 85.68 2016
Ottawa – Ontario(2) – 47.78 77.02 2016
Hamilton / Niagara Peninsula – Ontario(1)(2) – 42.92 76.33 2016
London – Ontario(1)(2) – 42.92 76.33 2016
Prince Edward Island(3)(2) – 43.62 71.62 2016
Montreal – Quebec(1),(2) – 42.67 66.95 2016
Saskatoon – Saskatchewan(1),(2) – 43.03 67.46 2016

Methodology

Examples of veterinarians' duties:

›› Diagnosing diseases or abnormal conditions in animals through physical examinations or laboratory tests

›› Treating sick or injured animals

›› Performing routine, emergency and post-mortem examinations

›› Inoculating animals to prevent diseases

›› Advising on animal nutrition and the care and welfare of animals

Comparison with employment group

The 2020 full-time average hourly wage rate for professional occupations in health (except nursing), which includes veterinarians, is $43.74. The 2020 corresponding median weekly wage rate is $1,600, giving an approximate full-time annual salary for this employment sector of $83,000.

Licensing

Provincial licensing is required for this occupation.

Visa

Currently, this occupation is an eligible occupation to apply for express entry immigration with the federal skilled worker permanent resident visa.

Number In Employment

There are over 10,000 veterinarians working in Canada.

These occupations may also be of interest:

Dentists
General Practitioners and Family Physicians
Registered Nurses
Physiotherapists
Veterinary Technicians