19 Jobs in Canada That Pay Over $400K a Year

Are there jobs in Canada that pay over $400k a year? The good news is that there are, if you know where to look. The bad news is that this kind of salary is only for the select few that have reached the top of their profession. If you want to take home more than $400k a year, you’ll have to work your way up the ranks, be patient and plan your career strategically. Here are some of the jobs where you might eventually earn that magic number.

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CEO (top salary: $400,000 and up)

According to PayScale, the average CEO in Canada makes $146,262 a year. However, there are some CEOs who make much more than that, especially if you add the money they earn from shares in the companies they run. For example, Linamar Corp, one of the Canadian companies with female CEOs, pays its CEO Linda Hasenfratz a base pay of $618,431 and she takes home a total of $14,641,474 a year, according to Canadian Business.

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Cardiothoracic surgeon (top salary: $571,562)

Salaries for cardiothoracic surgeons vary wildly across Canada and, according to PayScale, the average salary for this specialist physician is $287,326 a year. Top cardiothoracic surgeons with years of experience, however, can take home as much as $571,562 a year.

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Neurosurgeon (top salary: $549,566)

PayScale says that the average neurosurgeon in Canada makes $317,133 a year. Those at the top of their profession can make much more, though: as much as $549,566 a year.

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Orthopaedic surgeon (top salary: $500,336)

With injuries being one of the most common health concerns in Canada in 2019, the country’s orthopaedic surgeons have plenty of work. According to PayScale, the average annual pay for an orthopaedic surgeon is $250,086. Some, however, make $500,336 a year.

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Ophthalmologist (top salary: $403,000)

While an optometrist basically dispenses eyeglasses, an ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye disorders and can do eye surgery too. PayScale says that the average pay for an ophthalmologist in Canada is $159,000 a year, but that the best of the best can take home $403,000.

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Psychiatrist (top salary: $510,000)

Psychiatrists tend to be at the lower end of the pay scale for doctors in Canada. Still, Indeed says that they take home $238,932 on average. Become a top psychiatrist with a highly successful private practice, however and you might be able to earn as much as $510,000.

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Anesthesiologist (top salary: $599,000)

Where there is surgery, there is a need for an anesthesiologist. They have one of the highest paying jobs in the world. According to Indeed, the average pay for an anesthesiologist in Canada is $292,707. However, those at the top of their profession can make as much as $599,000.

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Neurologist (top salary: $548,000)

It’s not quite brain surgery, but a neurologist in Canada can still make very good money. The average annual salary for a neurologist in the country is $247,874, according to Indeed, while a select few can earn up to $548,000.

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Family physician (top salary: $510,000)

Generally, specialists make more money than family doctors. Still, Indeed says that the average family medicine physician takes home $258,057 a year. The very best doctors can earn much more: as much as $510,000.

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Pediatrician (top salary: $525,000)

If you love children and you also want to pay off your student loans fast, you might want to become a pediatrician. According to Indeed, the average pay for a pediatrician in Canada is $262,490, but some can take home up to $525,000 a year.

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Obstetrics and gynecology physician (top salary: $546,000)

According to Indeed, the average annual pay for obstetrics and gynecology physicians is $236,929, but some can take home as much as $546,000.

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Urologist (top salary: $836,000)

Indeed says that the average pay for a urologist is $436,037 a year. The very best, who are in private practice and may earn shares in a private hospital or clinic, can make nearly double that, though: a cool $836,000 a year.

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Plastic surgeon (top salary: $456,250)

There are quite a few celebrities who regret the work they’ve had done, but their surgeons probably don’t. In Canada, the average annual pay for a plastic surgeon is $285,000, according to Neuvoo, while the very best can take home $456,250.

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Chief financial officer (top salary: $400,000 and up)

PayScale says that the average pay for a chief financial officer in Canada is $132,157. However, add bonuses and incentives and a CFO can make much, much more. According to Globe Investor, Canada’s highest paid CFO is Magna International’s Vince Galifi, who takes home a total salary package of $8,034,063 a year.

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Actor (top salary: $400,000 and up)

The average actor in Canada makes very little money: $22,718 a year, according to Neuvoo. However, A-list actors working in Hollywood can bring home the big bucks. In 2018, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – who, thanks to his Canadian passport, is among the wealthiest Canadian actors – took home US$124 million, according to Forbes.

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Musician (top salary: $400,000 and up)

A career in music isn’t generally one that pays very well. In Canada, according to Neuvoo, the average musician makes $39,341 a year. However, those who make it big, make it really big: according to Billboard, Shania Twain – who is one of the world’s wealthiest singers – made a gross revenue of US$36,683,547 with her Now Tour in 2018.

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Social media influencer (top salary: $400,000 and up)

Being a social media influencer is one of those jobs where you can earn almost nothing or it can be one of the highest paying jobs for Generation Z. It all depends on how many followers you have. According to Hopper, the top earning Instagram influencer is Huda Kattan (pictured), who has 26 million followers and commands US$33,000 per post. There are no Canadians among the top 10 earners yet, but who knows: get your social media game on this year and you might be that person.

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Writer (top salary: $400,000 and up)

Writers have one of those jobs that pay shockingly less than you think. According to PayScale, the average writer’s salary in Canada is $41,322. However, if you’re a bestselling author with a business mind, you can make much more than that. For instance, The Guardian reports that Toronto-based professor and author Jordan Peterson makes US$1 million a year online, just through fans’ sponsorships through Patreon.

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Athlete (top salary: $400,000 and up)

Neuvoo says that the average salary for an athlete in Canada is a mere $52,000 a year. The best of the best, however, can make millions. In 2017, the Globe and Mail reported that Andrew Wiggins (pictured) became the highest paid Canadian athlete in history when he signed a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He would earn US$148 million over five years, bringing in an average of US$26.9 million every year.