Do you get paid to study a PhD Canada?

Asked by: Maximus Dibbert  |  Last update: October 2, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (33 votes)

It's common for Canadian universities to offer some form of funding in return for doctoral students completing work within their department. Sometimes this is additional paid work, treated like a salary. Other times it may be a condition of a baseline funding package, or PhD fellowship.

Do PhD students get paid in Canada?

Phd Student salaries in Canada

The estimated total pay for a Phd Student is $28,871 per year, with an average salary of $25,102 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.

Is PhD fully funded in Canada?

Yes, several Canadian universities offer fully funded PhD scholarships in Canada, covering tuition fees and providing a stipend for living expenses. These scholarships can significantly ease the financial burden of pursuing a PhD.

How much do you get paid after a PhD in Canada?

How much does a Phd make in Canada? The average phd salary in Canada is $96,462 per year or $49.47 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $59,777 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $136,212 per year.

Do you get paid while being a PhD Student?

Yes, PhD students do get paid. If you haven't yet worked on independent research you may wonder why these PhD students are paid to study. The thing is you are considered a consumer when you are taking a bachelor's or a master's degree. Thus, you have to pay for the education you get.

How to get FULLY FUNDED Masters or PhD in Canada

23 related questions found

Is getting a PhD paid for?

Many Ph.D. programs are fully funded.

Students interested in graduate research in various fields, from public health and English to computer science and engineering, have numerous options for Ph.D. programs that offer full funding. These programs typically provide waived tuition and fees and an annual stipend.

What is the difference between a doctorate and a PhD?

While a PhD focuses on academic research, a professional doctorate makes a significant and original contribution to furthering professional practice. A professional doctorate consists of coursework and a thesis of between 70,000 and 100,000 words.

How many years does it take to study PhD in Canada?

Length of a PhD in Canada

Most courses require at least three years of full-time study and research. Some students may study for longer. You can usually register for up to six years. In most cases you'll need to hold a Masters degree to apply for a standard Canadian PhD programme.

How much does a PhD make compared to a masters degree?

In these cases, the potential salary earnings for those with a Ph. D. can be $30,000 higher per year than those with just a master's degree. This is largely due to the level of knowledge that is required to take on high-paying roles in these fields.

Is PhD expensive in Canada?

There are many scholarships dedicated for PhD programs at the universities of Canada. But generally speaking, the cost of PhDs in Canada varies between CAD 8,000 to 20,000 annually depending on the program, specialisation and the university.

Can I work full time while doing PhD in Canada?

Yes, all full-time students with a valid study permit can work part-time on or off campus for up to 20 hours per week during university semesters and full time during semester breaks.

What are the benefits of getting a PhD in Canada?

Yes, PhD graduates are a great candidates for a range of jobs in higher education, research and other areas. Canada's post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows international graduates from its universities to live and work in Canada for up to three years after completing a doctorate.

Which country pays highest salary to PhD students?

Denmark. Denmark strongly emphasises education and research, and the country's social welfare system ensures that stipends are sufficient to cover living expenses. The country also offers an Industrial PhD option if you want to conduct a research project with commercial perspectives.

What is the salary of PhD professor in Canada?

Professor salaries in Canada

The estimated total pay for a Professor is $141,539 per year, with an average salary of $130,467 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.

What is the average salary in Canada?

What is the average salary in Canada? The average salary for a full-time worker in Canada is $63,013 per year or $1,211 per week. This marks a 4% increase in salary growth than the previous year. The majority of Canadians are earning more than they earned in the previous years.

Is a PhD harder than a masters?

However, generally speaking, many find PhDs harder due to the time and effort required in addition to the research focus in place of the emphasis on coursework. The prospect of undertaking a three to four-year commitment (or six to seven years if you are studying part-time) can also take its toll on doctoral students.

What PhDs make the most money?

Most of the highest-paying doctoral degrees are in engineering and computer science fields. However, doctoral degrees in economics, nursing, and medical-related fields also make the list. Information science is the fastest-growing field for folks with doctoral degrees, with the BLS projecting 26% growth from 2023-2033.

Is A PhD worth more than an MBA?

An MBA gives you more opportunities to progress further in your field of choice and increases your earning potential. A PhD, however, gives you access to jobs in the research or academic world. The average PhD holder makes significantly more annually than an MBA holder.

What GPA do you need for a PhD in Canada?

Doctoral (PhD) program requirements

Master's degree or equivalent from a recognized university and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B or equivalent) in the last two previous years of full time study (60 credit hours) is the minimum requirement for admission to the PhD program.

Which country is best for PhD?

Here we have highlighted some of the best of what certain countries have to offer for PhD programs -- take a look, then get your passport ready!
  • Consider Israel for natural sciences. ...
  • Look to Japan for business opportunities. ...
  • Aim for Australia if you're on an alt-ac track. ...
  • Canada is a great option for STEM PhDs.

How many hours do PhD students work in Canada?

Working off campus - You can work for employers outside your university campus for up to 24 hours per week during term time (with no limit during holiday periods). You must be studying full time and not be subject to any specific restrictions as part of your study permit.

Can I call myself Dr. if I have a PhD?

A doctoral degree (PhD) is a degree that one earns after a master's degree. A PhD entitles a person to use the title doctor. These are the social and physical scientists who conduct and evaluate published research. A PhD degree is normally obtained after six to eight years of hard work past the bachelor's degree.

Do PhDs get paid more than Masters?

Salary expectations

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , people with a master's degree earn an average weekly salary of $1,497. Those with a Ph. D. earn an average weekly salary of $1,883.

Is a PhD more prestigious than a doctorate?

Is a PhD Higher Than a Professional Doctorate? No, a PhD is not a higher degree than a professional doctorate. If you're wondering what's better than a PhD, both PhDs and professional doctorates are the highest level of college education that can be earned. Both degrees are doctoral degrees.