How much do GPs earn in Canada?

Quick Answer

A full-time UK-trained GP in Canada can expect gross billings of roughly CAD $250,000–$400,000 a year which comes in at about $230,000–$280,000 (£133,000–£162,000) before tax and after clinic overheads. That’s around double a UK salaried GP’s income and comfortably ahead of most partners. Most Canadian GPs are self-employed, billing the province per patient or per service rather than drawing a salary. Location is the biggest lever with rural and smaller-community posts paying the most and offering signing bonuses of up to $20,000 and relocation funding of $9,000–$15,000 on top. Cost of living is broadly similar to the UK overall and cheaper than the South East of England unless you're desperate to work in central Vancouver or Toronto.

Jump to section:

• How much am I likely to earn as a UK trained GP in Canada?
• How will I be paid as a UK trained GP moving to Canada? What’s the structure?
• Are Canadian GPs self-employed or given a salary?
• Will I earn more as a GP in Canada depending on which location I choose?
• Are there any relocation packages for GPs moving to Canada?
• What’s the cost of living like for a GP working in Canada?
• Do GPs in Canada earn more than in the UK?
• Can I pick up extra shifts or locum work to boost my earnings as a GP in Canada?
• How should I go about getting the best salary package when moving to Canada as a GP?
• Is it financially worth it to move to Canada as a UK trained GP?
• FAQs
• Sources
• Thinking about moving to Canada?

How much am I likely to earn as a UK trained GP in Canada?

The national average gross clinical payment to family doctors is about CAD $324,000 (~£187,000). You pay your clinic 20–30% of billings as overhead so a realistic full-time pre-tax income is $230,000–$280,000, with the range by role looking like this:

Your first year will sit at the lower end while you build a patient panel and learn the billing system and most UK GPs reach full earning speed within 12–18 months.

How will I be paid as a UK trained GP moving to Canada? What’s the structure?

Four payment models cover almost every GP job in Canada:

• Fee-for-service. You bill the provincial health plan for each patient contact - roughly $35–$50 for a standard visit with more for procedures and complex care. See more patients and you'll earn more. You invoice the province then they pay you with the clinic taking a cut for overheads.
• Blended capitation (mostly in Ontario). You’re paid a fixed annual amount per patient on your list which is adjusted for age and complexity plus reduced fees per visit and bonuses for prevention targets. It generally give steadier income and rewards a well-managed list of patients.
• BC’s LFP model. This model pays you for your time, your panel size and your patient interactions in combination - it's designed so full-service family practice pays properly and why BC jumped from Canada’s worst-paying province for GPs to one of the best.
• Salary / alternative payment plans. Community health centres, family health teams and some northern posts pay a straight salary (roughly $220,000–$280,000) with benefits, paid leave and no overhead - this is the closest feel to an NHS salaried job.

Whatever the model the money arrives from the provincial health plan - there’s no private billing to your own patients for insured services so clinically it feels like the NHS where the patient never get's the bill.

Are Canadian GPs self-employed or given a salary?

Mostly self-employed. Around three-quarters of Canadian family doctors work as independent contractors so they bill the province, pay a share of clinic overheads and are responsible for their own tax, pension and benefits. The big upside is the professional corporation - most GPs incorporate a company, pay themselves through their company and enjoy meaningfully lower effective tax rates plus flexible retirement saving. An accountant costs ~$2,500 a year and pays for itself many times over. Salaried roles exist (mostly in team-based clinics, health authorities and the north) and are a perfectly good first landing if you want zero admin while you settle. Plenty of UK GPs start salaried, learn the system and then switch to independent billing once confident.

Whichever model you choose, you'll need Canadian registration first – our guide to working as a GP in Canada covers the requirements and process step by step.

Will I earn more as a GP in Canada depending on which location I choose?

Yes - location is the single biggest variable in Canadian GP pay and the smaller and more remote the community, the more you earn. A GP in a mid-sized town will typically out-earn a downtown Toronto colleague by 20–30% while paying half as much for a house. Rural and northern posts add premium fee rates (often 10–30% uplifts), retention bonuses and subsidised housing on top. Province matters with BC’s LFP model and Ontario’s capitation deals currently pay best for full-service practice, while Alberta’s lower taxes mean a better take home. 

Are there any relocation packages for GPs moving to Canada?

Again, it'll depend on how flexible you're willing to be on the job you go for however it's worth checking as you'll sometimes get:

• Signing bonuses - commonly around $20,000 for community posts and higher in hard-to-fill locations.
• Relocation funding - $9,000–$15,000 towards flights, removals and temporary accommodation is typical.
• Fee reimbursement - many employers refund your licensing, CFPC and immigration costs.
• Rural retention payments – there are sometimes annual top-ups ($10,000–$35,000) for staying in a designated community.
• Practice support – like a guaranteed minimum income for your first 6–12 months while you build a patient list sometimes in the form of subsidised clinic space or housing assistance.

Check the small print as sometimes these added bonuses are there in exchange for your commitment to stay in that place. If you leave early you might have to pay these things back.

What’s the cost of living like for a GP working in Canada?

Cost of living is broadly comparable to the UK and generally a few percent cheaper. It's slightly different though as food shopping costs 15–25% more but petrol and energy cost less. Childcare is getting lower as Canada has a  subsidised $10-a-day programme which is a huge saving on UK nursery fees. Just like in the UK, house prices vary massively depending on location:

On a GP income everywhere in Canada is affordable and even central Vancouver and Toronto will be fine as long as you don't mind renting over buying a house (like London). In a mid-sized town you’ll easily afford a nice detached house, short commute and plenty in savings every month. Income tax is in the same territory as the UK but you'll be self employed and that reduces tax considerably.

Do GPs in Canada earn more than in the UK?

A UK salaried GP on £70,000–£90,000 will roughly double their income in Canada. A UK partner averaging around £140,000 will match that in an ordinary Canadian post and beat it clearly in an LFP, hospitalist or rural role where £180,000–£260,000 equivalents are normal. You do give up the NHS pension but your earnings massively outweigh that allowing you to build as strong a private pension as you like. Like-for-like, Canada definitely pays more.

Can I pick up extra shifts or locum work to boost my earnings as a GP in Canada?

Canada’s GP shortage makes extra work essentially limitless if you want it. The main options are rural locum programmes (Alberta guarantees around $1,000 a day, BC and Ontario run equivalents at $1,000–$1,500 a day often with travel and accommodation paid), walk-in and urgent care shifts in your own town, hospitalist cover at regional hospitals and telehealth sessions you can do from home. A week of rural locum cover in your holidays clears $5,000–$7,000. Many GPs deliberately build a mixed week - say three clinic days, one hospitalist shift and one flexible - which pushes gross earnings past $400,000 without having to do massive hours. The only real constraint is your own licence conditions in year one and we suggest getting to grips with things before you starting taking on extra work.

For the types of roles on offer and where to find them, see our guide to GP jobs in Canada.

How should I go about getting the best salary package when moving to Canada as a GP?

1. Weigh up options. It's worth considering 2-3 options in an area to see what each offers.
2. Negotiate the whole package. Ask about signing bonuses, relocation money, fee reimbursement, first-year minimum income guarantee and admin support are all worth asking about.
3. Look beyond the total figure. A 70/30 split with full nursing and billing support beats an 80/20 where you run everything and Alberta’s taxes can make a smaller gross the bigger take-home.
4. Work out expected earnings. Ask what the clinic’s existing GPs actually bill under their model so you're dealing with realistic numbers.
5. Read return-of-service clauses to ensure you're not tying yourself to somewhere just for the money.
6. Incorporate early. Set up your professional corporation and get a physician-specialist accountant in your first months to boost your earnings as soon as possible.

If you need some advice on what your realistic expectations should be in a specific province or setting then get in touch and we can help give you a realistic assessment based on the current landscape and your background.

Is it financially worth it to move to Canada as a UK trained GP?

The move costs you roughly £10,000–£15,000 up front and much of that is routinely reimbursed through relocation packages. In return a salaried UK GP roughly doubles their pre-tax income and even well-earning partners come out ahead once you add the extras like signing bonuses, retention payments, locum days at $1,000+ and the tax efficiencies of a professional corporation. Housing costs less than the South East of England everywhere except central Vancouver and Toronto, childcare is dramatically cheaper under the $10-a-day programme and day-to-day costs net out about level with home. The one genuine financial sacrifice is the NHS pension but on a Canadian GP income you can out-save it through your corporation and still take home more each month. Payback on the upfront cost is typically within your first two or three months of Canadian earnings. If money is your main motivator then the move really makes sense.

And for the bigger picture beyond the money – visas, family, timelines and locations – read our complete guide to moving to Canada as a GP from the UK.

FAQs

How much do GPs earn in Canada?

The average gross clinical payment is about CAD $324,000 a year and after clinic overheads a full-time GP typically keeps $230,000–$280,000 before tax.

Are Canadian GPs salaried or self-employed?

Mostly self-employed, billing the provincial health plan. Salaried roles exist in team-based clinics and health authorities if you want a softer landing.

Do GPs in Canada earn more than in the UK?

Yes. A salaried UK GP roughly doubles their income and most partners come out ahead too, especially in LFP, hospitalist or rural roles.

Where does it pay most?

Rural and smaller communities - premium fee rates, signing bonuses of around $20,000 and annual retention payments on top of higher billings.

What relocation help is available?

Sometimes $9,000–$15,000 in relocation funding, a signing bonus and often reimbursement of licensing and immigration fees - it's always worth asking.

Can I boost my earnings with locum work?

Yes. Rural locum programmes pay roughly $1,000–$1,500 a day with travel and accommodation covered.

Sources

• Average Gross Clinical Payment per Physician — Canadian Institute for Health Information
• Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model — Government of British Columbia
• Rural Family Practitioner Locum Program — Government of British Columbia
• Rural Family Medicine Locum Program – Remuneration — Ontario Health
• Family Physician Wages — Government of Canada Job Bank
• GP Earnings and Expenses Estimates 2023/24 — NHS England Digital (UK)

Thinking about moving to Canada?

Moving to Canada is a big step for any GP. It's a career move but also a big life change too. If you want to know more about the registration process, what it's like moving overseas, life and work in Canada, how much you'll actually earn, visa processes or anything that's playing on your mind then let me know. I've helped thousands of doctors make international moves so I understand how big a commitment it is and all of the steps along the way. Drop me a message and I'll get back to you or we can arrange a call.

Drop me a message →

Equally if you're ready to make the move then take a look over some of our live jobs – if you're looking for something specific I can connect you with hundreds of independent clinics as well as all of the major corporates who are consistently hiring.

Browse live Canada GP jobs →