Key Takeaways.
- Pharmacy salaries in Canada range based on experience, location and workplace environment. By 2025, an expected average pharmacy salary in Canada should range between 95,000-120,000.
- Hospital pharmacists and those in more specialized roles typically earn higher than entry level pharmacists. Salaries for hospital and specialist pharmacists can be compared in Canadian dollars (CAD), per month, hourly rates or Indian rupees (INR).
- International pharmacists must meet licensing requirements before practising in Canada.
Introduction
Competitive salary, enhanced work-life balance and long term job security have positioned Canada among the top places in the world to be a pharmacist. As demand for more health care services and desire for more integrated services develop, pharmacists’ roles will continue to diversify in community pharmacy, hospitals and clinical services.
But what can Canadian pharmacists expect to earn in 2025?
This article will enable you to compare Pharmacist Salary in Canada depending on many factors such as experience, specialisation, location, and type of employment. This resource will also provide information regarding monthly salaries, hourly rates and rupee (INR) equivalent salaries, allowing foreign students and professionals to get a better understanding of their compensation package.
Average Pharmacist Salary in Canada (2025)
The average salary of a pharmacist in Canada is expected to be CAD 95,000 – 120,000 per year. This is also calculated in terms of a monthly salary CAD 7,900 – 10,000 or the hourly rate of CAD 45 – 60, mostly depending on their experience and the type of work location.
Here’s a quick analysis:
| Role/Type | Average Salary (Annual, CAD) | Per Month (CAD) | Per Hour (CAD) | In Indian Rupees (Approx.) |
| Entry-Level Pharmacist | 70,000 – 85,000 | 5,800 – 7,000 | 35 – 40 | ₹43 – 52 lakh |
| Mid-Level Pharmacist | 85,000 – 100,000 | 7,000 – 8,300 | 42 – 48 | ₹52 – 61 lakh |
| Experienced Pharmacist | 100,000 – 120,000 | 8,300 – 10,000 | 50 – 60 | ₹61 – 73 lakh |
| Hospital Pharmacist | 105,000 – 125,000 | 8,700 – 10,400 | 52 – 62 | ₹64 – 76 lakh |
| Clinical/Research Pharmacist | 95,000 – 115,000 | 7,900 – 9,600 | 48 – 58 | ₹58 – 70 lakh |
(Conversion: 1 CAD ≈ ₹62 as of 2025)
The First Step for International Pharmacists
Before earning a pharmacist’s salary in Canada, international graduates must pass the PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada) Exam. This is a mandatory licensing requirement to work as a pharmacist.
Who needs it? Anyone who completed pharmacy studies outside Canada.
Process: Document evaluation → Qualifying Exam → OSCE (practical test).
Why it matters for salary: Without PEBC, you can’t legally practice. Once licensed, entry-level salaries start at CAD 70,000–85,000 (₹43–52 lakh), with experienced professionals earning CAD 120,000+ (₹73 lakh+) annually.
Pharmacist Salary in Canada by Experience
Like most professions, experience has a direct impact on pharmacist income in Canada.
| Experience Level | Salary Range (CAD or Year) | In Rupees (Approximate Value) |
| Entry-Level (0 to 2 years) | 70,000 to 85,000 | ₹43 to 52 lakh |
| Early Career (3 to 5 years) | 80,000 to 95,000 | ₹49 to 59 lakh |
| Mid Career (6 to 10 years) | 95,000 to 110,000 | ₹59 to 68 lakh |
| Senior (10 to15 years) | 110,000 to 125,000 | ₹68 to 76 lakh |
| Highly Experienced (15+ years) | 125,000 to 140,000+ | ₹76 to 86 lakh |
Beginning pharmacists may make less money at the beginning phase of their career however, their earnings can increase substantially after 5-10 years of working experience.
Pharmacist Pay in Canada Based upon City (2025)
| City | Average Salary (CAD/Year) | Top Hiring Sectors |
| Toronto | 100,000 – 120,000 | Hospitals, Community Pharmacies |
| Vancouver | 95,000 – 115,000 | Clinical Settings, Private Clinics |
| Calgary | 90,000 – 110,000 | Community Pharmacies |
| Montreal | 85,000 – 105,000 | Research, Hospitals |
| Ottawa | 95,000 – 115,000 | Government Healthcare, Hospitals |
| Edmonton | 92,000 to 112,000 | Community & Hospital Pharmacies |
| Winnipeg | 85,000 to 100,000 | Hospital Pharmacies |
What Factors Affect Your Pharmacist Salary in Canada?
Canada pharmacist salaries can differ significantly between individuals. This will depend on factors like their employment location, years of experience and role. By understanding these components of pharmacist salary in 2025 you will gain a more in-depth picture of Canadian salaries per hour or year.
1. Experience and Career Stage
- In Canada, a new pharmacist makes about CAD 70,000 to 85,000 each year (₹43 to 52 lakh).
- After 5 to 10 years of working experience, the pay could go from CAD 95,000 to 110,000.
- The senior and expert pharmacists can get CAD 125,000 or even more each year.
The more experience you gain, the higher your pharmacist salary in Canada will be per month.
2. Location and Province
- Where you work in Canada greatly influences pay.
- Ontario and Alberta often report higher pharmacist salaries.
- Rural areas might offer better packages to attract professionals.
Urban centres like Toronto and Vancouver tend to pay more, but here the living costs are also higher.
3. Type of Workplace
- Hospital pharmacists at hospitals get more money than those in retail or community settings.
- Clinical pharmacists who work on special care, like cancer or old age, also get a higher pay scale.
- Research and academic roles might offer moderate salaries, but they add to growth opportunities and experience.
If your target is to earn a higher hospital pharmacist salary in Canada, then choosing clinical or hospital settings must be given importance.
4. Specialisation and Certifications
- Pharmacists holding advanced certifications (like geriatrics, oncology, and pharmacotherapy) more to make more money.
- Having a special skill helps you get noticed and boosts both your hourly and yearly pay.
5. Work Hours and Shifts
- Pharmacists who take extra shifts or night duties and on-call responsibilities earn a higher overall income.
- Overtime can add up to 10 to 20% extra to the annual package.
Your pharmacist salary in Canada in 2025 highly depends on your experience, the city you have chosen to work in, workplace type, specialisation, and willingness to work overtime. Whether you are calculating your pharmacist salary in Canada per hour or pharmacist salary in Canada in terms of rupees, all these factors play a critical role in determining your overall and final income.
Pharmacist Salary Growth Over Time
Like other healthcare professionals, pharmacist salaries in Canada grow with experience.
| Career Stage | Average Annual Salary (CAD) | Monthly (CAD) | In INR (Approx.) |
| Intern/Residency | 45,000 – 55,000 | 3,700 – 4,600 | ₹28 – 34 lakh |
| Entry-Level | 70,000 – 85,000 | 5,800 – 7,000 | ₹43 – 52 lakh |
| Mid-Level | 90,000 – 105,000 | 7,500 – 8,700 | ₹56 – 65 lakh |
| Senior | 110,000 – 125,000 | 9,100 – 10,400 | ₹68 – 76 lakh |
| Specialist/Leadership Roles | 125,000 – 140,000+ | 10,400 – 11,600+ | ₹76 – 86 lakh |
Hospital Pharmacists’ Salary in Canada
Hospital pharmacists usually make more than retail pharmacists because of the complexities of their job.
- Average Salary: CAD105,000 to 125,000 annually
- Hourly Rate: CAD 52 to 62
- In INR: ₹64 to 76 lakh annually.
Additionally, they typically have greater benefits, job security, and more options for clinical progression.
Ways to Maximise Your Pharmacist Salary in Canada
A pharmacist’s salary in Canada might change based on some of the choices you make throughout your career.
While the average salary across the country might change in the range of CAD 95,000–120,000 but many professionals can pull a salary of much more by using some reasonable and smart tips.
Whether you want to be a hospital pharmacist in Canada with a greater salary or just want to elevate your Canadian pharmacist salary monthly, these tips are for you.
1. Select the Appropriate Province or City
- Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia offer some of the highest pharmacist pay.
- Rural districts offer attractive additional incentives to healthcare professionals.
2. Specialised in Fields That Are in High Demand
- Pharmacists with specialties in oncology, geriatrics, or clinical research get paid better.
- Additional certifications will increase credibility and even remuneration.
3. Hospital or Specialised Clinic Employment
- Hospital pharmacist pay in Canada is higher than that of community or retail pharmacy jobs.
- Professional growth opportunities are also more available in clinical environments.
4. Work Extra Shifts or On-Call
- Overtime may bring 10–20% extra money annually.]
- Night shifts, weekend shifts, and emergency shifts typically pay more per hour.
5. Negotiating Your Contract
- Always conduct a thorough search for the salary range before accepting an offer.
- The negotiation of working conditions could dramatically increase the hourly rate of pharmacists in Canada.
By making the best choice of province, prioritising areas of expertise, and including opportunities for overtime or in hospitals, you can get the highest salary for a pharmacist in Canada in terms of CAD or rupees and stay financially secure over the long run.
Is It Worth Becoming a Pharmacist in Canada?
Yes. While it can take time, energy, and investment to become a licensed pharmacist in Canada, the advantages far outweigh them. Pharmacists are also eligible for:
- Good salary packages
- Work-life balance compared to physicians or surgeons
- Steady career growth in health care
- Opportunities for leadership and specialisation
Internationally educated pharmacists (such as Indians) earn 4–5 times their salaries in Canada than what they would have earned in their respective countries.
Also Read: How to Pass the PEBC Exam
Last Words
Canadian pharmacists are highly remunerated, with junior pharmacists earning CAD 70,000 and senior specialists earning CAD 140,000+. Whichever way you compare them – annual, monthly, or hourly pay – the pharmacists get a good salary and safety for their jobs.
If you are considering a move to Canada as a pharmacist, now is the ideal time. With the ongoing needs for healthcare professionals, the future outlook, already bright, will only improve in 2025.
FAQs
Yes. On average, the pharmacist salary in Canada, when converted into rupees, ranges from ₹43 lakh to ₹86 lakh annually, which is certainly better than the average income of pharmacists practising in India.
The monthly salary of an entry level pharmacist in Canada is approximately CAD 7,900 to 10,000 based on factors such as province, workplace, etc.
Yes. Hospital pharmacist salaries range between CAD 105,000 and 125,000 annually compared with those earned as community pharmacists or retail store pharmacy owners.
Salaries typically range between CAD 95,000 and 122,000 depending on experience levels and location of practice.
The typical pharmacist salary range in Canada ranges between CAD 45–60 per hour; senior or specialised pharmacists may command higher hourly pay at hospitals or clinics.
As of 2025, the projected monthly salary for pharmacists in Canada ranges from CAD 7,900 – 10,000 per month.
Entry level pharmacists, as a guide, will earn approximately CAD 70,000 – 85,000 per year.
Hospital pharmacists will earn about CAD 105,000 – 125,000 per year in 2025.
This will vary from ₹43 lakh as an entry level pharmacist to ₹86 lakh for a more senior role.
Alberta and Ontario are typically acknowledged as having the highest pharmacy pay. In certain areas, pharmacist salary in Canada monthly may be CAD 10,000 plus.
