Are doctors in high demand in Canada?

Asked by: Kris Pollich V  |  Last update: August 9, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (31 votes)

Canada will be short about 44,000 physicians by 2028, with family doctors accounting for 72% of the deficit. In addition to closing that gap, Canada will need to train or hire 30,000 more physicians by 2028 to match the average number of doctors per capita among OECD peers.

Which doctor is most in demand in Canada?

20 Most in-Demand Specializations in Canada
  1. Family Medicine (Average gross salary - $281,000/year) ...
  2. Pediatricians (Average gross salary - $299,000/year) ...
  3. General Pathology (Average gross salary - $308,000/year) ...
  4. Cardiothoracic Surgery (Average gross salary - $599,000/year)

Is there a demand for doctors in Canada?

For General practitioners and family physicians, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 48,900 , while 29,400 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them.

Is it hard to move to Canada as a doctor?

Physicians are considered to be high-skilled workers, therefore immigration to Canada for doctors is not complicated. An occupation as a doctor falls under the NOC 3112 category – General Practitioners and Family Physicians.

Do doctors get paid more in Canada or USA?

The U.S. generally offers lower taxes and higher average salaries across medical specialties. Canadian doctors have lower education, insurance and operational costs.

Canada needs doctors, but foreign-trained physicians can’t land residencies here

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Which country pays doctors most?

The following are the best countries that offer lucrative job opportunities for doctors and allow them to grow professionally.
  • Switzerland. Switzerland tops the chart when it comes to the highest-paying countries for doctors and related healthcare professionals. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • Luxembourg. ...
  • USA. ...
  • Ireland. ...
  • Australia. ...
  • Austria. ...
  • Belgium.

Is it easier to become a doctor in Canada or USA?

Getting into medical school in Canada is considered more competitive compared to getting into medical school in the U.S. based on average MCAT scores and admissions rates.

Does Canada accept US doctors?

Depending on the regulations of the provincial colleges of physicians and surgeons, US doctors must either undergo a period of supervision (usually several months to a year) or complete the Medical Council of Canada exams, or both, to obtain a full license to practise in Canada.

Which is the best country to move as a doctor?

These countries have been ranked based on factors such as job opportunities, salary prospects, quality of life and ease of immigration.
  1. United States.
  2. United Kingdom (UK)
  3. Canada.
  4. Australia.
  5. Germany.
  6. The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  7. France.
  8. New Zealand.

Can a US citizen move to Canada without a job?

Can I move to Canada without a job? Yes, actually. Canada's Express Entry program doesn't require you to have a job before starting the immigration process. Having one helps though, according to CanadaAbroad.com, which foreign immigrants can do so through Canada's job bank.

Is Canada a good place for doctors?

Canada's healthcare system

Canada has a comprehensive healthcare service for the entire population, called Medicare. It is publicly funded. The service provides universal coverage for medical hospital services based on need rather than the ability to pay. Primary care is the foundation of the healthcare system.

Which is the hardest doctor to become?

What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.

Does Canada have doctor shortages?

Canada has lately started increasing medical school enrolment (3,8); however, the shortage of physicians in rural communities is a significant concern. About 20% of Canadians live in rural areas, while less than 10% of the physicians practise in rural Canada.

What is the highest paying medical job in Canada?

Among the highest-paying health care jobs are physicians and surgeons, who earn an average annual salary of $209,236 and $264,656, respectively, in Canada as of August 2024 [3, 4]. On the lower salary end, non-certified health care aides make a median salary of $48,348 CAD per year [5].

What is the highest paid doctor in the USA?

What Are the Highest-Paid Doctors in the US? The highest-paid doctors are neurosurgeons who report earning above $780,000 per year on average.

What country pays doctors the most?

1. Luxembourg. Topping our list is Luxembourg, a small yet prosperous country known for its thriving economy and high standard of living. Doctors in Luxembourg enjoy some of the highest salaries in the world, along with excellent working conditions and ample opportunities for professional growth.

Which doctors are most in demand in USA?

Psychologists, dermatologists, neurologists, cardiologists, and family medicine are among the most in-demand physician specialties, according to BLS statistics.

How hard is it to move to Canada as a doctor?

Physicians qualify for Express Entry as a Federal Skilled Worker, and when approved, are invited to apply for permanent residency. You will need to take an English or French Language test. Transitioning to Canada can take 6 months of longer, so if you are committed to moving, start this process early.

Do doctors in the US make more than doctors in Canada?

Do doctors get paid more in Canada or the USA? Doctors in the USA generally earn more than their counterparts in Canada, with factors like the healthcare system affecting their earnings.

What is the average salary for a doctor in Canada?

The average doctor salary in Canada is $117,983 per year or $60.50 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $54,083 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $330,892 per year.

Which country is it hardest to become a doctor in?

Canadian medical schools are among the hardest medical schools to get into in North America, and medical school acceptance rates in Canada are actually lower on average than US schools. One reason for this is because there are fewer Canadian medical schools but still thousands of applicants vying for a spot.

Is the MCAT the same in Canada and the US?

Both the MCAT in Canada and the US follow the same format. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which created and oversees the MCAT, does so in order to offer medical schools with standard metrics for assessing applicants' credentials and readiness for medical school, both in Canada and the US.

How long is doctor school in Canada?

Becoming a doctor requires attending four years of medical school (with the exception of University of Calgary's three year program). Upon graduation you will receive an MD degree. Following graduation, you must complete a residency in your specialty of choice, where you work under supervision.