An occupational therapist’s salary in Canada ranges from around $60,000 per annum at entry-level to approximately $105,000 in 2023. Mid-range salaries are in the region of $90,000 per annum.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Canada By Province?
The best government statistics for comparing wages by province are presented as hourly pay rates. This applies to all occupations, including those where pay is based on an annual salary.
Low and high wage rates are provided along with the average median wage; the median is the middle point of the data range when all wages are listed in numerical order.
| Occupational Therapist's Hourly Wages By Province (NOC 31203) | |||
| Province | Low ($ Hr) | Median ($ Hr) | High ($ Hr) |
| Canada | 30.00 | 41.32 | 49.23 |
| Alberta | 40.00 | 47.00 | 52.36 |
| British Columbia | 25.77 | 42.50 | 50.00 |
| Manitoba | 30.00 | 38.46 | 42.00 |
| New Brunswick | 36.00 | 40.79 | 45.00 |
| Newfoundland | 43.89 | 45.59 | 51.00 |
| Northwest Territories | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nova Scotia | 30.00 | 38.97 | 43.68 |
| Nunavut | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ontario | 28.00 | 42.00 | 48.90 |
| Prince Edward Island | 26.15 | 35.79 | 42.43 |
| Quebec | 29.41 | 38.46 | 46.00 |
| Saskatchewan | 35.00 | 43.00 | 48.00 |
| Yukon Territory | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| This information has been compiled from several sources, including data from Statistics Canada and the Labour Force Survey. As of May 2023 this is the most recent published data, gathered from prior years surveys. | |||
Which Province Has The Highest Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Canada?
The highest mid-range occupational therapist’s salary in Canada is in Alberta, followed by Newfoundland and Labrador. In these provinces, salaries are 10-15% above the national average.
Salaries in Alberta are typically higher than in other provinces in Canada. This applies across all job sectors, but the most significant differences are seen in occupations related to the oil and gas industry.
At the other end of the scale, the lowest occupational therapist’s salary in Canada is in Prince Edward Island, where mid-range salaries are around 13% lower than national averages. However, the cost of living here is lower than in many regions of Canada, so salaries should be viewed in this context.
Are Occupational Therapists In Demand In Canada?
The prospects for occupational therapists are excellent in most provinces, and the occupational group is expected to face labour shortages over the next ten years.
Government projections (carried out by EDC) for 2022 to 2031 showed projected job openings for occupational therapists as 9,100, compared to 7,600 new job seekers who will fill these posts. This means that shortages are likely to persist for some time.
Job openings for most health-related occupations are expected to increase in Canada for the foreseeable future, including for occupational therapists. This is driven by population growth, plus the fact that the population is an aging one.
An occupational therapist’s salary in Canada in 2023 is expected to be around 4% higher than an occupational therapist’s salary in Canada in 2022.
What Is An NOC Code In Canada?
National Occupational Classification Codes (or NOC Codes) are numbers used to categorize jobs in Canada. All occupations are numbered based on the training, education, experience and responsibilities required to perform the job. In 2022 a new system of numbers was introduced whereby the previous 4-digit NOC codes were replaced with new 5-digit codes.
What Is The NOC Code For An Occupational Therapist In Canada?
The current NOC code for occupational therapists in Canada is 31203 (note that under the old system, the NOC code was 3143). This NOC code covers all jobs with the following names:
- Case manager occupational therapist
- Clinical occupational therapist
- Community occupational therapist
- Occupational therapist (OT)
- Occupational therapy rehabilitation consultant
- Research and development occupational therapist
Can Immigrant Occupational Therapists Work In Canada?
If you qualified as an occupational therapist overseas, you might be able to work in Canada without further training. However, occupational therapists are regulated in Canada, and your qualifications must be assessed before applying for your license.
If you intend to work in one of the provinces (apart from Quebec), your first step should be to apply through the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) to verify your qualifications and competencies.
If your qualifications are substantially equivalent to a Canadian’s, you can apply to register with the provincial regulator. If not you can take the required occupational therapy program to fill any educational gaps.
The final stage is to write the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE). You may be able to practice with a provisional license while you are waiting to sit the exam, but this will vary by province.
Note that the province of Quebec has its own process for assessing and registering occupational therapists.
The good news is that the NOC code for this job sector appears on the Government of Canada’s list of target occupations for immigration. This means that you could be eligible for the Federal Skilled Workers Program, which provides express entry to Canada.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Ontario?
An occupational therapist’s salary in Ontario ranges from $58,800 to $102,690 per annum. The mid-range salary in Ontario is $88,200, which is close to the national average.
Occupational therapists’ salaries in Ontario are generally consistent across the province. The exception is in Toronto, where occupational therapists’ salaries are around 10% higher than provincial averages.
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What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Starting Salary In Ontario?
The starting salary for an occupational therapist in Ontario is $58,800. This is lower than the starting salary for occupational therapists across Canada, which is $63,000.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Toronto?
A mid-range occupational therapist’s salary in Toronto is $97,650, higher than provincial and national averages. However, it’s worth noting that while this salary is competitive, the cost of living in Toronto is high, with some of the highest real estate costs in Canada. You may enjoy a higher standard of living outside of Toronto.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Ottawa?
A mid-range occupational therapist’s salary in Ottawa is $88,200, which is lower than in Toronto. However, property costs in Ottawa are lower, which means your salary might stretch further in Ottawa than in Toronto.
Are Occupational Therapists In Demand In Ontario?
Yes, occupational therapists are in demand in Ontario, and the job prospects are rated “good,” according to government forecasts covering 2022 to 2024. This occupation has seen labour shortages in recent years, and this situation is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Alberta?
An occupational therapist’s salary in Alberta ranges from $84,000 to $109,956. The mid-range salary in Alberta is $98,700, which is higher than the national average.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Starting Salary In Alberta?
The starting salary for an occupational therapist in Alberta is around $84,000, significantly higher than most of Canada’s entry-level salaries for this occupation.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Calgary?
A mid-range occupational therapist’s salary in Calgary is $98,700, which is above national averages. In addition, Calgary has a lower cost of living compared to most other major cities in Canada, which means you may enjoy a higher standard of living here.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Edmonton?
An occupational therapist’s salary in Edmonton is $98,700, in line with salaries in Calgary. However, the cost of living, especially property prices, is low in Edmonton, which means you can probably enjoy a good standard of living.
Are Occupational Therapists In Demand In Alberta?
Yes, occupational therapists are in demand in Alberta, and the job prospects are rated “good,” according to government forecasts covering 2022 to 2024. This is typical of the health sector across Canada as demand grows to support a growing and aging population.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In BC?
An occupational therapist’s salary in BC ranges from $54,117 to $105,000. The mid-range salary in BC is $89,250, which is marginally higher than national averages.
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What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Starting Salary In BC?
The starting salary for an occupational therapist in BC is $54,117, which is somewhat lower than entry-level salaries nationally (around $63,000).
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Vancouver?
A mid-range occupational therapist’s salary in Vancouver is $89,250. However, Vancouver’s living cost is high, with some of Canada’s highest real estate costs. You might enjoy a higher standard of living outside of Vancouver.
What Is An Occupational Therapist’s Salary In Victoria?
An occupational therapist’s salary in Victoria is $89,250, in line with Vancouver. However, property costs in Victoria are lower than in Vancouver, which could mean your salary stretches further in Victoria than in Vancouver.
Are Occupational Therapists In Demand In BC?
Yes, occupational therapists are in demand in BC, and the job prospects are rated “good,” according to government forecasts covering 2022 to 2024. This occupation has seen labour shortages in recent years and continued growth means that shortages are set to continue until at least 2031.
Where To Find More Information About Occupational Therapist Jobs In Canada
If you would like more specific information for a particular job or location, the online “Job Bank” is a great resource.
The “Trends Analysis” section allows you to search for a job type in any location. It will then provide information including:
- Average wages levels
- Marketplace trends
- Qualification requirements
- Geographic comparisons
- Currently available jobs
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