Optometry is one of Canada’s most financially attractive health professions relative to the education investment. The 4-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) program is shorter than medical school plus residency, and optometrists can earn $110,000-$150,000 as associates or $150,000-$300,000+ as practice owners. The practice of optometry in Canada is a mix of provincially insured eye exams (for children, seniors, and those with medical conditions) and private-pay services (routine adult exams, contact lens fittings, optical dispensing). This hybrid funding model creates strong revenue streams. Practice ownership is the primary wealth-building path, with many optometrists owning their clinics and associated optical dispensaries.
Optometrist Salary by Experience
| Level |
Associate (Employed) |
Practice Owner (Net Income) |
| New graduate (0-2 years) |
$90,000-$120,000 |
Rarely own immediately |
| Mid-career (2-5 years) |
$110,000-$145,000 |
$130,000-$200,000 |
| Experienced (5-10 years) |
$130,000-$165,000 |
$180,000-$280,000 |
| Senior (10+ years) |
$140,000-$180,000 |
$200,000-$350,000+ |
| Multi-location owner |
— |
$250,000-$500,000+ |
Salary by Province
| Province |
Associate Optometrist |
Practice Owner (Net) |
Notes |
| Ontario |
$115,000-$150,000 |
$160,000-$300,000 |
Largest market; OHIP covers children, seniors |
| British Columbia |
$110,000-$145,000 |
$150,000-$280,000 |
MSP covers limited; mostly private pay |
| Alberta |
$120,000-$160,000 |
$170,000-$320,000 |
Strong fee schedule; AHCIP coverage |
| Saskatchewan |
$110,000-$145,000 |
$150,000-$270,000 |
Good coverage; smaller market |
| Manitoba |
$105,000-$140,000 |
$140,000-$260,000 |
Manitoba Health covers some exams |
| Quebec |
$100,000-$135,000 |
$130,000-$250,000 |
RAMQ covers children, seniors |
| Nova Scotia |
$100,000-$135,000 |
$130,000-$240,000 |
Smaller market |
| New Brunswick |
$95,000-$130,000 |
$125,000-$230,000 |
Fewer practices |
| Newfoundland |
$100,000-$140,000 |
$130,000-$250,000 |
Recruitment incentives available |
Alberta pays the highest optometry fees in Canada due to a favourable fee schedule. Ontario has the largest number of optometrists and the most competitive urban market but still strong demand in rural and suburban areas. Provinces with fewer optometrists per capita (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Atlantic) offer strong demand and sometimes recruitment incentives.
Practice Ownership Economics
Practice ownership is the primary path to higher income in optometry. Most optometrists who own practices also operate an optical dispensary, which can generate significant additional revenue.
| Practice Component |
Revenue |
Notes |
| Gross billings (clinical) |
$400,000-$800,000/year |
Eye exams, medical eye care |
| Optical dispensary revenue |
$200,000-$600,000/year |
Frames, lenses, contact lenses |
| Total gross revenue |
$600,000-$1,400,000/year |
Combined clinical + optical |
| Operating expenses |
50-65% of revenue |
Staff, rent, equipment, supplies |
| Owner net income |
$150,000-$350,000+ |
After all expenses |
| Practice value (sale) |
50-85% of gross revenue |
$400,000-$1,000,000+ |
Compensation Models for Associates
| Model |
Structure |
Typical Income |
| Daily rate |
$800-$1,500/day |
$200,000-$375,000/year (50 weeks) rarely this high |
| Per patient/exam |
$60-$120 per comprehensive exam |
Volume-dependent |
| Percentage of billings |
30-40% of clinical billings |
$100,000-$180,000 |
| Salary |
Fixed annual amount |
$100,000-$160,000 |
| Salary + bonus |
Base + production incentive |
$110,000-$180,000 |
| Locum (fill-in) |
$900-$1,800/day |
Short-term, no benefits |
Revenue Sources
| Service |
Typical Fee |
Insurance Coverage |
| Comprehensive eye exam (adult) |
$100-$180 |
Private insurance or out-of-pocket |
| Comprehensive eye exam (child) |
$80-$140 |
Provincial coverage in most provinces |
| Comprehensive eye exam (senior 65+) |
$80-$140 |
Provincial coverage in most provinces |
| Contact lens fitting |
$75-$200 |
Usually private pay |
| Medical eye care (dry eye, infection) |
$60-$150 |
Provincial health insurance |
| Retinal imaging (OCT) |
$40-$80 |
Add-on fee |
| Myopia management |
$100-$200/visit |
Private pay; growing niche |
| Orthokeratology (ortho-K) |
$1,500-$3,000/year |
Private pay |
| Low vision assessment |
$150-$350 |
Provincial coverage in some cases |
Education Path
| Step |
Details |
Duration |
| Undergraduate pre-requisites |
Science degree (biology, chemistry, physics, math) |
3-4 years |
| Doctor of Optometry (OD) |
University of Waterloo or Université de Montréal |
4 years |
| National board exams (CACO/NBEO) |
Written and practical components |
After OD |
| Provincial licensure |
Register with provincial College of Optometrists |
After boards |
| Optional residency |
Specialty focus (paediatrics, low vision, ocular disease) |
1 year |
Education Costs
| Program |
Approximate Cost |
| Undergraduate degree (3-4 years) |
$18,000-$36,000 |
| OD program — Waterloo (4 years) |
$75,000-$90,000 |
| OD program — US school (4 years) |
$200,000-$350,000 USD |
| Equipment/instruments (startup) |
$5,000-$15,000 |
| Board exam fees |
$2,000-$4,000 |
| Total education cost (Canadian program) |
$95,000-$130,000 |
| Practice purchase (existing) |
$400,000-$1,000,000+ |
| Practice startup (new) |
$300,000-$600,000 |
| Profession |
Mid-Career Income |
Education Length |
| Ophthalmologist (MD) |
$300,000-$600,000 |
13+ years |
| Dentist (practice owner) |
$200,000-$400,000 |
8 years |
| Optometrist (practice owner) |
$150,000-$300,000+ |
7-8 years |
| Optometrist (associate) |
$110,000-$150,000 |
7-8 years |
| Pharmacist (clinical) |
$95,000-$125,000 |
6 years |
| Physiotherapist (clinic owner) |
$100,000-$200,000 |
6-7 years |
| Optician (dispensing) |
$42,000-$60,000 |
2-3 years |
Benefits
| Benefit |
Associate (Employed) |
Practice Owner |
| Pension |
RRSP match or none |
Self-directed (corporate investing) |
| Health/dental insurance |
Employer-provided |
Self-funded (corporate deduction) |
| Vacation |
3-4 weeks |
Self-managed; arrange locum coverage |
| CE/professional development |
Often employer-funded |
Self-funded (tax deductible) |
| Malpractice insurance |
$1,500-$3,000/year |
Same |
| Tax advantages |
Limited |
Corporate structure, income splitting |
Job Outlook
Optometry demand in Canada is growing steadily. The aging population needs more frequent eye care, screen-time-related eye strain is driving younger patients to seek care, and the profession’s scope of practice is expanding in several provinces to include management of more eye diseases. The supply of new optometrists is constrained — Waterloo’s program graduates approximately 90 students per year, and Montréal graduates about 45 — creating consistent demand. Practice ownership remains the best path to high income, and succession opportunities are plentiful as retiring optometrists sell established practices. Competition is strongest in downtown Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal; demand is strongest in suburban growth areas, small-to-mid-sized cities, and rural communities.
| Factor |
Status |
| Overall demand |
Strong — aging population + screen time |
| New graduate employment |
Near 100% |
| Scope of practice trend |
Expanding (therapeutic prescribing, minor procedures) |
| Practice ownership opportunity |
Good — many retiring practitioners selling |
| Urban vs rural demand |
Strong everywhere; strongest in smaller communities |
| Corporate optometry (LensCrafters, etc.) |
Growing segment; lower autonomy, competitive pay |
| AI/technology impact |
Screening tools augmenting, not replacing, optometrists |