What is the average optometrist salary in Canada?

The average optometrist salary in Canada is $110,000-$150,000 for an associate optometrist (employed). Practice owners earn significantly more — net income of $150,000-$300,000+ depending on practice size and location. New graduates as associates earn $90,000-$120,000. The wide range reflects the difference between salaried employment and practice ownership, as well as provincial fee schedule variations.

Do optometrists make more than dentists in Canada?

Optometrists and dentists have comparable income potential at the practice ownership level. Dentist practice owners typically net $200,000-$400,000, while optometrist practice owners net $150,000-$300,000+. However, dentists have higher overhead, longer education, and more student debt. As associates, optometrists ($110,000-$150,000) earn slightly less than associate dentists ($120,000-$180,000). Both professions offer strong income with practice ownership.

How long does it take to become an optometrist in Canada?

Becoming an optometrist requires 7-8 years of post-secondary education: 3-4 years of undergraduate pre-requisites followed by a 4-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. Canada has only two English-language optometry programs (University of Waterloo and University of Montreal for French). After graduation, you must pass national board exams and obtain provincial licensure. Some graduates complete an optional 1-year residency.

Is optometry a good career in Canada?

Optometry is an excellent career in Canada. It offers high income ($110,000-$300,000+), strong demand due to aging population and increased screen time, reasonable work-life balance compared to medicine, and the option to own a business. The profession is expanding its scope of practice in several provinces to include treatment of more eye conditions, which increases revenue potential. Demand for optometrists is particularly strong outside major urban centres.

How competitive is getting into optometry school in Canada?

Very competitive. Canada has only two English-language OD programs (University of Waterloo, which is the largest) and one French program (Université de Montréal). Waterloo admits approximately 90 students per year with acceptance rates around 10–15%. Requirements include strong science GPA (3.7+), OAT exam scores, CASPer test, and interview performance. Many Canadian students attend optometry schools in the US as an alternative.

How Much Do Optometrists Make in Canada 2026: $110K–$150K (Owners $150K–$300K+)

Optometry is one of Canada’s most financially attractive health professions relative to the education investment. The 4-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) program is shorter than medical school plus residency, and optometrists can earn $110,000-$150,000 as associates or $150,000-$300,000+ as practice owners. The practice of optometry in Canada is a mix of provincially insured eye exams (for children, seniors, and those with medical conditions) and private-pay services (routine adult exams, contact lens fittings, optical dispensing). This hybrid funding model creates strong revenue streams. Practice ownership is the primary wealth-building path, with many optometrists owning their clinics and associated optical dispensaries.

Optometrist Salary by Experience

Level	Associate (Employed)	Practice Owner (Net Income)
New graduate (0-2 years)	$90,000-$120,000	Rarely own immediately
Mid-career (2-5 years)	$110,000-$145,000	$130,000-$200,000
Experienced (5-10 years)	$130,000-$165,000	$180,000-$280,000
Senior (10+ years)	$140,000-$180,000	$200,000-$350,000+
Multi-location owner	—	$250,000-$500,000+

Salary by Province

Province	Associate Optometrist	Practice Owner (Net)	Notes
Ontario	$115,000-$150,000	$160,000-$300,000	Largest market; OHIP covers children, seniors
British Columbia	$110,000-$145,000	$150,000-$280,000	MSP covers limited; mostly private pay
Alberta	$120,000-$160,000	$170,000-$320,000	Strong fee schedule; AHCIP coverage
Saskatchewan	$110,000-$145,000	$150,000-$270,000	Good coverage; smaller market
Manitoba	$105,000-$140,000	$140,000-$260,000	Manitoba Health covers some exams
Quebec	$100,000-$135,000	$130,000-$250,000	RAMQ covers children, seniors
Nova Scotia	$100,000-$135,000	$130,000-$240,000	Smaller market
New Brunswick	$95,000-$130,000	$125,000-$230,000	Fewer practices
Newfoundland	$100,000-$140,000	$130,000-$250,000	Recruitment incentives available

Alberta pays the highest optometry fees in Canada due to a favourable fee schedule. Ontario has the largest number of optometrists and the most competitive urban market but still strong demand in rural and suburban areas. Provinces with fewer optometrists per capita (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Atlantic) offer strong demand and sometimes recruitment incentives.

Practice Ownership Economics

Practice ownership is the primary path to higher income in optometry. Most optometrists who own practices also operate an optical dispensary, which can generate significant additional revenue.

Practice Component	Revenue	Notes
Gross billings (clinical)	$400,000-$800,000/year	Eye exams, medical eye care
Optical dispensary revenue	$200,000-$600,000/year	Frames, lenses, contact lenses
Total gross revenue	$600,000-$1,400,000/year	Combined clinical + optical
Operating expenses	50-65% of revenue	Staff, rent, equipment, supplies
Owner net income	$150,000-$350,000+	After all expenses
Practice value (sale)	50-85% of gross revenue	$400,000-$1,000,000+

Compensation Models for Associates

Model	Structure	Typical Income
Daily rate	$800-$1,500/day	$200,000-$375,000/year (50 weeks) rarely this high
Per patient/exam	$60-$120 per comprehensive exam	Volume-dependent
Percentage of billings	30-40% of clinical billings	$100,000-$180,000
Salary	Fixed annual amount	$100,000-$160,000
Salary + bonus	Base + production incentive	$110,000-$180,000
Locum (fill-in)	$900-$1,800/day	Short-term, no benefits

Revenue Sources

Service	Typical Fee	Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive eye exam (adult)	$100-$180	Private insurance or out-of-pocket
Comprehensive eye exam (child)	$80-$140	Provincial coverage in most provinces
Comprehensive eye exam (senior 65+)	$80-$140	Provincial coverage in most provinces
Contact lens fitting	$75-$200	Usually private pay
Medical eye care (dry eye, infection)	$60-$150	Provincial health insurance
Retinal imaging (OCT)	$40-$80	Add-on fee
Myopia management	$100-$200/visit	Private pay; growing niche
Orthokeratology (ortho-K)	$1,500-$3,000/year	Private pay
Low vision assessment	$150-$350	Provincial coverage in some cases

Education Path

Step	Details	Duration
Undergraduate pre-requisites	Science degree (biology, chemistry, physics, math)	3-4 years
Doctor of Optometry (OD)	University of Waterloo or Université de Montréal	4 years
National board exams (CACO/NBEO)	Written and practical components	After OD
Provincial licensure	Register with provincial College of Optometrists	After boards
Optional residency	Specialty focus (paediatrics, low vision, ocular disease)	1 year

Education Costs

Program	Approximate Cost
Undergraduate degree (3-4 years)	$18,000-$36,000
OD program — Waterloo (4 years)	$75,000-$90,000
OD program — US school (4 years)	$200,000-$350,000 USD
Equipment/instruments (startup)	$5,000-$15,000
Board exam fees	$2,000-$4,000
Total education cost (Canadian program)	$95,000-$130,000
Practice purchase (existing)	$400,000-$1,000,000+
Practice startup (new)	$300,000-$600,000

Profession	Mid-Career Income	Education Length
Ophthalmologist (MD)	$300,000-$600,000	13+ years
Dentist (practice owner)	$200,000-$400,000	8 years
Optometrist (practice owner)	$150,000-$300,000+	7-8 years
Optometrist (associate)	$110,000-$150,000	7-8 years
Pharmacist (clinical)	$95,000-$125,000	6 years
Physiotherapist (clinic owner)	$100,000-$200,000	6-7 years
Optician (dispensing)	$42,000-$60,000	2-3 years

Benefits

Benefit	Associate (Employed)	Practice Owner
Pension	RRSP match or none	Self-directed (corporate investing)
Health/dental insurance	Employer-provided	Self-funded (corporate deduction)
Vacation	3-4 weeks	Self-managed; arrange locum coverage
CE/professional development	Often employer-funded	Self-funded (tax deductible)
Malpractice insurance	$1,500-$3,000/year	Same
Tax advantages	Limited	Corporate structure, income splitting

Job Outlook

Optometry demand in Canada is growing steadily. The aging population needs more frequent eye care, screen-time-related eye strain is driving younger patients to seek care, and the profession’s scope of practice is expanding in several provinces to include management of more eye diseases. The supply of new optometrists is constrained — Waterloo’s program graduates approximately 90 students per year, and Montréal graduates about 45 — creating consistent demand. Practice ownership remains the best path to high income, and succession opportunities are plentiful as retiring optometrists sell established practices. Competition is strongest in downtown Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal; demand is strongest in suburban growth areas, small-to-mid-sized cities, and rural communities.

Factor	Status
Overall demand	Strong — aging population + screen time
New graduate employment	Near 100%
Scope of practice trend	Expanding (therapeutic prescribing, minor procedures)
Practice ownership opportunity	Good — many retiring practitioners selling
Urban vs rural demand	Strong everywhere; strongest in smaller communities
Corporate optometry (LensCrafters, etc.)	Growing segment; lower autonomy, competitive pay
AI/technology impact	Screening tools augmenting, not replacing, optometrists