Canadian PA Salary and Compensation Package Expectations

Learn valuable insights and guidance on understanding Canadian physician assistant salary expectations and creating an enticing compensation package that will attract top-tier talent.

Physician Assistants are highly trained and qualified health care providers who work in collaboration with a supervising physician. PAs are NOT medical assistants, administrative assistants. PAs practice medicine, and provide a wide range of clinical services including patient assessment, ordering and interpreting investigations, formulating and communicating diagnosis, prescribing medication, performing procedure and plans.

As the demand for physician assistants continues to rise across Canada, it's crucial to remain competitive in the job market. Offering an attractive salary and well-rounded compensation package not only helps you attract highly skilled PAs but also ensures their long-term commitment to your organization.

I. Researching PA Salaries in Canada

At present there are more PA jobs than PAs to fill them.

Competitive PA Salaries in Canada are closer to $50-65+ CAD an hour with benefits.

If no benefits are offered, it may be 14% in lieu of benefits. See below (Section III) on components of a competitive PA compensation package.

Source I: CAPA PA Compensation Report

The most up to date source of PA salary/compensation packages can be found the Canadian Association of Physician Assistant (CAPA)’s website.

Source 2: Manitoba PCAM Collective Agreements

This is part of the Physician And Clinical Assistants of Manitoba (PCAM) checklist of Collective Agreements, and outlines PA salaries in different Regional Health Authorities across the province of Manitoba

Source 3: OrthoPA Network PA Salary Report

If you are a Canadian Orthopaedic Surgeon looking to hire a Physician Assistant for your practice, you can join OrthoPA Network for free, and request the Orthopaedic Surgery PA Salary census report to see what current PAs in Orthopaedic Surgery in Canada are making.

II. Outdated and Unreliable Sources for PA Salary in Canada

When doing your research online you may come across a few job postings or sources that quote PA salaries that are inaccurate.

Example 1: HealthForceOntario

For example, HealthForceOntario in the Ontario PA Career Start Grant quotes $75,000 with benefits as a recommended starting range for new grads in Ontario. This is outdated salary for a new grad for over 10 years, and unfortunately the HFO website has not updated its salary recommendation to reflect current demand for PAs, or competitive salary rates. New grad PA salary starting rates are closer to $50 an hour ($93,750+) CAD with benefits.

Example 2: Indeed Postings for PA Jobs

When doing a quick LinkedIn, Indeed Job posting for Physician Assistant, you may notice that some salaries are closer to minimum wage (e.g. $15 an hour), or a lower wage (e.g. $20-25 an hour). This is often when there is a misuse of the PA title, when employers mean to advertise a medical assistant, administrative assistant or secretary. Salaries should be closer to $50-65 an hour with benefits for a qualified Physician Assistant.

III. Designing an Attractive PA Compensation Package

Crafting a comprehensive compensation package is crucial to attract top talent and ensure their long-term commitment to your organization. A well-rounded package demonstrates your commitment to their well-being and professional growth

A basic compensation package include:

• Base Salary (annual or hourly rate e.g. $50-65 CAD per hour with benefits)

  • Outline overtime pay or time off in lieu;

  • if applicable: on-call schedule and pay

• Benefits Package

  • Extended health care benefits - including medical, dental, vision, health care spending account

  • If benefits are not offered, then 14% in lieu of benefits is common to allow the PA to purchase their own personal health insurance or towards medical expenses (e.g. through SunLife, CanadaLife, etc.)

• Retirement (RRSP matching, pension)

• Continuing Medical Education (CME) or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Funding: $500-2500 per year to use towards workshops, and conferences, to enhance PA’s knowledge to bring back to the benefit of the practice and patients.

• Paid Time off and Leave:

  • Vacation days (e.g. 3 weeks paid vacation)

  • Sick leave

  • Family leave

  • Paid education days for CME/CPD (e.g. 5 paid education days per year)

• Bonus:

  • Relocation assistance bonus

  • Productivity Bonus/Performance Incentives

• Additional considerations:

  • flexible working arrangements

  • hybrid work-from-home/in-clinic days

  • career advancement opportunities

  • paid CAPA membership fees

  • paid PA malpractice insurance

Remember, staying competitive in the job market requires regular reassessment of your compensation package.

Keep up with industry trends, PA salary updates, and evolving needs of physician assistants to ensure that your offers remain competitive.

Final notes

Designing a competitive and attractive compensation package involves not only offering a fair salary and comprehensive benefits but also considering non-monetary incentives and creating a positive workplace culture.

By taking into account these additional considerations, you can enhance your compensation package and stand out as an employer of choice.