How Much Do Medical Graduates Earn?
What will you be paid during your postgraduate residency years? It’s a question that many medical students have.
Does it vary within the same country based on state or province? Does it make a difference what year of postgraduate training you’re in? Does one specialization pay more than another?
The answer depends on if you choose to stay in Australia, return to Canada to become a licensed doctor, or move to the United States.
Residency in Australia
If you’re going to make Australia your home for postgraduate training, your salary will be dependent upon three factors: the region in which you live, what year of training you’re in, and your specialization.
As of 2025, starting annual salaries for Australian postgraduate medical interns averaged between $73,850 and $87, 517 (AUD) with variation by state. Keep in mind, these salaries were for full-time positions without the additional overtime hours that many residents choose to take on.
| Australian State | 2025 PGY-1 Intern Annual Starting Salary
(AUD per annum) |
| New South Wales | $76,009 |
| Australian Capital Territory | $86,619 |
| Tasmania | $87,000 |
| Northern Territory | $90,150 |
| Queensland | $90,141 |
| South Australia | $81,814 |
| Victoria | $85,414 |
| Western Australia | $90,864 |
It may not sound like a lot right now, but you won’t be a newbie forever. Salaries increase consistently based on experience and specialization.
Residency in Canada
In Canada, resident salaries are determined by the year of residency and the province in which you live.
Starting out, gross annual salary for first year residents in 2023 averaged $49,258 (Quebec) to $69,876 CAD (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island).
| Canadian Province | 2023 PGY-1 Residency Annual Starting Salary
(CAD per annum) |
| Quebec | $49,258 |
| British Columbia | $65,332 |
| Alberta | $58,934 |
| Saskatchewan | $61,635 |
| Ontario | $73,367* |
| Manitoba | $62,663 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $69,175 |
| Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island | $69,876 |
*2025 starting salary
Additional benefits like call premiums, vacation, sick leave, and health insurance also vary by province. CaRMS provides a full breakdown of Canadian residency salaries and benefits.
Residency in the United States
If you’re considering doing your residency in the United States, salaries also vary by the year of your postgraduate training, your state, and your specialization.
According to Medscape’s 2025 Resident Salary and Debt Report, the average salary for a medical resident in 2025 was $75,000 per year, which is a 6.5% increase from 2024.
Salaries will also vary depending on the specialization you choose.
Questions About Residency?
So, there you have it. Like so many things, the answer to “how much will I make” may not be as straight forward as you initially thought, but if you keep location, experience, and specialization in mind, you can get a good idea of what your salary may be after you graduate.
Of course, money isn’t everything and there are other factors that you should keep in mind as you navigate your own pathway to becoming a doctor.
To learn more about the medical licensing and postgraduate residency pathways and processes, we can help! Keep an eye on our events for our medical residency webinars in which we explore various pathways, chat with alumni, and review the latest statistics and information.
*
Ask A Question
Ask us about your program of interest, or if you have a question about our services.
CONTACT US TODAY