How much does Physicist make?

The average salary for Physicist is CA$88,513 per year or CA$43 per hour, with top earners making up to CA$142,864 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from CA$68,791 (25th percentile) to CA$113,888 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 45 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Physicist employees.

What is the highest salary for Physicist?

The highest salary for Physicist is CA$113,888 per year, CA$9,491 per month or CA$55 per hour.

What is the lowest salary for Physicist?

The lowest salary for Physicist is CA$68,791 per year, CA$5,733 per month or CA$33 per hour.

What is the salary trend for Physicists?

Physicists generally earn salaries comparable to those of other STEM researchers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Those working for private sector firms or the federal government typically earn higher wages than those working for universities or colleges. Candidates can increase their earnings by promoting and securing new grants, having repeated publication in popular scientific journals, and specializing in higher-demand subfields, such as applied and engineering-related subfields rather than theoretical subfields. Canada’s median wage is above average, with British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia paying the highest salaries.

How To Make More Money as a Physicist

Looking for ways to make more money as a physicist in Canada? Think about furthering your education and gaining specialty certifications in higher-paying niches, like computational physics, laser engineering, optics, medical physics, or solar physics. Once you earn a master’s or doctorate in physics or a related field, seek membership from the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP), the leading professional body for Canadian medical physicists. Performing research that creates intellectual property and successfully applying for patents can also lead to higher earnings. Entry-level physicists can apply for college and university jobs, which typically have the lowest pay, but valuable opportunities for advancement. You can also enhance soft skills like your aptitude for mathematics, trigonometry, and calculus, presentation and reporting, research and data gathering, and analytical and problem-solving skills.

How To Negotiate a Higher Salary as a Physicist

As a physicist in Canada, begin your salary negotiation process by researching the current physicist jobs in your area and taking note of the salaries they offer. By determining how much others with similar experience and education in the field make, you’ll have a clear idea of what you can expect during the negotiation process. It’s fair to request a target salary of up to 20%. Going a little on the high side will give you wiggle room when responding to offers and potential counter offers. You should also include extra perks in your discussion, such as more vacation time, a comprehensive benefits package, or group life insurance. The more experience you have and the more substantial your understanding of the laws of physics, the more of an asset you’ll be.

Does a Physicist make good money in Canada?

About 73.33% of Physicist professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $0 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Physicist in Canada as a good salary.

How much does a Physicist make over time in Canada?

Physicist professionals in Canada have a wide total pay range, between $54,839 and $142,864 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $88,513 following the average career path of a Physicist.

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Physicist Salaries

Physicist Salaries in Canada

Base pay

CA$69K - CA$114K/yr

CA$89K/yrAverage base pay

About our data

Last updated Jul 10, 202645 Salaries submitted

How accurate is an average base pay range of CA$69K-CA$114K/yr?

Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time.

Popular companies for Physicists in Canada

112 results

The Ottawa Hospital4.0★

CA$113K - CA$138K/yr Total pay

CA$120K Median

Physicist

Breathe BioMedical2.0★

CA$70K - CA$84K/yr Total pay

CA$75K Median

Physicist

Kingston General Hospital3.4★

CA$119K - CA$138K/yr Total pay

CA$120K Median

Physicist

TRIUMF4.1★

CA$65K - CA$90K/yr Total pay

CA$90K Median

Physicist

General Fusion3.7★

CA$131K - CA$140K/yr Total pay

CA$135K Median

Physicist

Viewing 1 - 5 of 112

Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview

Illustration of an economist reviewing pay data

What is the pay outlook for Research & Science?

The research and science sector in Canada has good employment prospects, with the most growth seen in British Columbia, the Yukon, and Nunavut. Most job opportunities are in natural science or life science fields and require a post-secondary or graduate education. Salaries in research and science are high, with more growth to come. Starting salaries are the highest in Alberta and Ontario.

Recent salaries shared by Physicist

37 salaries

Job Title | Years of Experience

Base • Additional pay

Location

Date submitted

Job Title | Years of Experience

Location

Date submitted

Base • Additional pay

Physicist

4-6 years

CA$83K - CA$97K/yr

Vancouver, BC

submitted on Jan 15, 2026

CA$83K - CA$97K/yr

Physicist

7-9 years

CA$144K/yr

(CA$144K • CA$0)

Vancouver, BC

submitted on Jun 26, 2025

CA$144K/yr

CA$144K • CA$0

Physicist

4-6 years

CA$84K - CA$97K/yr

Vancouver, BC

submitted on Jun 17, 2025

CA$84K - CA$97K/yr

Anonymously share your salary to help the community.

Physicist

10-14 years

CA$130K/yr

(CA$130K • CA$0)

Vancouver, BC

submitted on Sep 11, 2024

CA$130K/yr

CA$130K • CA$0

Physicist

1-3 years

CA$86K - CA$99K/yr

Richmond, BC

submitted on Jun 1, 2024

CA$86K - CA$99K/yr

Physicist

4-6 years

CA$84K/yr

(CA$84K • CA$0)

Chalk River, ON

submitted on Apr 13, 2024

CA$84K/yr

CA$84K • CA$0

Physicist

4-6 years

CA$77K/yr

(CA$77K • CA$0)

Midland, ON

submitted on Mar 11, 2024

CA$77K/yr

CA$77K • CA$0

Physicist

1-3 years

CA$77K/yr

(CA$77K • CA$0)

Moncton, NB

submitted on Oct 29, 2023

CA$77K/yr

CA$77K • CA$0

Physicist

15+ years

CA$93K - CA$107K/yr

Vancouver, BC

submitted on Oct 28, 2023

CA$93K - CA$107K/yr

Physicist

7-9 years

CA$74K - CA$86K/yr

Moncton, NB

submitted on Sep 12, 2023

CA$74K - CA$86K/yr

Viewing 1 - 10 of 37

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Physicist Salaries

Physicist Salaries in Canada

About our data

Popular companies for Physicists in Canada

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Recent salaries shared by Physicist

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Physicist Salaries in Canada

About our data

Popular companies for Physicists in Canada

Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview

Recent salaries shared by Physicist

Frequently asked questions about Physicist salaries

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