• By: Allen Brown

Six Highest-Paid Medical Specialties in Canada in 2023

When entering the Canadian medical field, it’s a good idea to have a full understanding of the landscape. This can help you make the right career choices and avoid problems such as debt later down the line.

One of the most important details to be aware of is the medical specialties in Canada that come with the highest levels of pay. This is a pivotal factor in determining which part of the medical field is most conducive for launching and maintaining a career.

Thankfully, a close look at Canada’s highest-paid medical specialties, along with other details about these occupations, is now available.

Top Six Specialties to Be Aware Of

In 2023, Canada’s medical field has quite a bit to offer for professionals looking to stake out great careers. Each of these occupations has quite a bit to offer. Doctors working in any of the following fields will also have a lot on their hands and much expected of them.

When reviewing the medical field and determining which route to go, knowing what options are available and what’s most compatible with your career goals is going to make a very big difference.

For Canadian medical professionals who are looking for careers that are both lucrative and rewarding, the following list of the six highest-paid specialties will certainly be of value.

Ophthalmology

Across Canada, ophthalmologists consistently make the top dollar in the nation’s medical field. Doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating eye disorders can earn anywhere from $791,000 to $3.5 million on an annual basis.

Data from the National Library of Medicine also reviews available ophthalmologists in conjunction with Canada’s population. This shows that for every 100,000 residents, there are roughly 3.35 doctors in this field.

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Medical specialists who work in cardiothoracic surgery can expect to make about $588,000 per year. Cardiothoracic surgeons are responsible for fixing heart problems. Sometimes, these doctors literally have a patient’s beating heart in their hands.

Anyone who chooses to start a career in this particular field should be prepared for years of study and intense work when performing surgical operations.

Neurosurgery

Neurosurgeons have the responsibility of working with the human brain and nervous system. The Canadian Medical Association stresses the importance of doctors in this field being disciplined and able to recognize cases that demand surgical intervention vs. other forms of treatment.

A Canadian neurosurgeon’s average salary comes out to about $502,000 per year. Though in America, a neurosurgeon’s average salary in this field can be between $413,000 to $875,000 on an annual basis.

Urology

Medical specialists working as urologists are responsible for working with urinary tract problems. In many cases, this means dealing with infections and helping patients who are facing significant pain.

In some of the more extreme cases, urologists find themselves having to expel cancer from urinary tracts via surgery or get rid of substances that are blocking these tracts altogether.

Because of all the work and expertise that is necessary to work as a urologist, doctors in this field can bring home $500,000 per year.

General Surgery

As the name implies, specialists working as general surgeons are responsible for a series of different surgeries. They generally earn about $466,000 on an annual basis; however, the potential for higher income still exists in this field.

General surgeons often oversee complicated procedures involving damage to ligaments, appendixes, and other internal organs. These medical specialists are also usually responsible for handling surgeries needed in cases of severe bodily damage that stems from accidents or other forms of harm.

Anesthesiology

Professionals working as anesthesiologists have a deeply critical role to play in the medical field, even if it’s not as commonly discussed as work in other healthcare departments.

Johns Hopkins Medicine stresses the importance of patients being able to receive anesthesia before undergoing surgery or other similar medical procedures.

Anesthesiologists can expect an annual salary of about $437,000. Their responsibilities involve not just providing anesthesia to patients, but also doing routine post-op checks and helping medical patients ease their overall pain.

Conclusion

As you can see, Canadian medical specialists have many choices of different fields to pursue. Each one will require intensive studies, attention to detail, and a willingness to deliver for those in need.

Regardless of which field a medical practitioner chooses, they will often see patients when they are at their worst and most vulnerable. Being able to navigate in these environments without compromising the quality of care or service is vital in the medical field.

When choosing one medical specialty over the others, the salary is definitely going to matter. However, it should not be the only detail that is taken into account.

Whether you choose ophthalmology, neurosurgery, or a different field entirely, what matters most will come down to delivering and doing the work for those in need.

 

Author Bio:

Justin Nabity is the founder and CEO of Physicians Thrive, now a part of Larson Financial Group where he is a Partner. Physicians Thrive is an advisory group helping physicians avoid business and legal pitfalls and build their financial education. In his free time, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He has been involved in mentorship programs, is active in his church, and enjoys keeping up with public policy. He’s also an avid travel fan and likes spending time outdoors, including training for various Ironman triathlons. Justin has been featured in Bankrate, MSN, Carol Roth, and Insurance News. Additionally, you can listen to interviews with him on the Financial Gravity Podcast and ROI of Why Podcast.

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