Nurse Practitioner Jobs in Ontario
A Comprehensive Guide
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The nurse practitioner landscape in Canada is rapidly evolving. As provinces fund NP programs and integrate NPs into workforce planning, opportunities continue to grow. In 2023, Ontario added 121 new training positions in its primary health care NP program (1). With expanding scope and rising demand for primary care, NPs are improving access across the system. But what does the job market really look like in Ontario? Let’s take a closer look.
Where Can I Work as a Nurse Practitioner in Ontario?
Across Canada, nurse practitioners are becoming a vital part of every corner of the healthcare system. You’ll find NPs in family medicine, long-term care, community health centres, hospitals, emergency departments, telehealth, and even private practice (yes, including cosmetics!).
Primary health care NPs have one of the most flexible roles — you’re trained to care for patients of all ages and can work in just about any healthcare setting. In fact, Canada is moving toward a family/all-ages model for NP training. By January 2026, all NPs (except those in Quebec or neonatal programs) will be educated and licensed to work with clients of all ages, in all care settings.
In Ontario alone, NP employment continues to grow — as of 2024, there were over 2,100 NPs in hospitals, nearly 300 in long-term care, and close to 3,000 in community settings (not counting self-employed or locum roles) (2). Many NPs are also carving out niches in specialties like dermatology, urology, nephrology, and endocrinology. Long story short - the job opportunities continue to expand, and there are lot’s of choices, depending on your area(s) of interest and expertise.
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Applying for Nurse Practitioner Jobs in Ontario
Aside from an internet search, word of mouth is powerful. You’ll likely hear of NP postings through the grape vine. Think about where you want to work. For example, if you want to work in a hospital, narrow down your search to hospital websites in your location of choice, and consider reaching (send an email, make a phone call) to inquire about current or future NP positions. The table below highlights common websites used to search for NP jobs in Canada.
| Job Board | Link |
|---|---|
| NPAO Job Board | https://npao.org/job-postings/ |
| RNAO Job Board | https://www.rncareers.ca/jobs/nurse-practitioner/ontario/ |
| Indeed | https://ca.indeed.com |
| Glassdoor | https://www.glassdoor.ca |
| Government of Canada Job Bank | https://www.jobbank.gc.ca |
| https://ca.linkedin.com | |
| Workopolis | https://www.workopolis.com |
| Jooble Canada | https://ca.jooble.org |
Nurse Practitioner Funding in Ontario
Nurse practitioners are typically either employed through Ontario-government funded positions, work in private practice, or hired as a “locum” or independent contractor. Let’s compare these positions.
| Category | Employed NPs | Private Practice NPs | Locum / Contract NPs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding Source | Government-funded through provincial or federal programs. In Ontario, funded via Ontario Health or hospital budgets. Some federally funded positions in remote or First Nations communities. | Self-funded or clinic-funded. NPs may own or co-own the practice, generate income from patient services, and manage expenses independently. | Privately funded by physicians or clinics to temporarily fill coverage gaps (e.g., maternity leaves, short-term shortages). |
| Compensation Model | Salaried with benefits such as pension, vacation pay, and insurance. | Income based on patient volume, service fees, or business profits. Responsible for taxes, overhead, and business costs. | Hourly or per diem pay set by contract. Typically higher rate to offset lack of benefits. |
| Billing Rights | Currently no direct billing to public plans; NPs use billing numbers for referrals and diagnostic tests. If salaried, cannot bill OHIP for medically necessary services. |
Bill patients or private insurers directly. Billing changes coming into effect in 2026 - can bill for medically necessary medical services. May charge fees for uninsured services, similar to physicians in private practice. | Do not bill public plans directly; billing arrangements depend on clinic agreements or private pay structure. |
| Benefits | Typically include pension, sick leave, and extended health benefits. | No employer-provided benefits. Must arrange private insurance and retirement savings independently. | Usually no benefits; contractors cover their own insurance and vacation time. |
| Job Stability | Generally permanent or long-term employment with predictable income. | Dependent on patient base and business success; income may fluctuate. | Short-term or temporary (weeks to months); ends when the contract expires. |
| Administrative Support | Access to clinic or hospital administrative teams and shared resources. | Responsible for managing or hiring support staff; covers administrative costs. | May or may not have admin support. Should clarify expectations in contract and negotiate time for paperwork. |
| Scope of Practice | Defined within organizational policies and provincial regulations. Integrated in interdisciplinary teams. | Full autonomy in patient care within scope; responsible for compliance and quality standards. | Scope depends on clinic expectations; clarify patient volume, appointment length, and after-hours duties. |
| Key Considerations | Stable income, structured benefits, institutional support, and professional collaboration. | High autonomy and flexibility, but increased responsibility for business operations and risk. | Flexibility and short-term opportunities; requires clear contracts and awareness of legal/insurance obligations. |
Nurse Practitioner Income in Ontario
Salaries for nurse practitioners (NPs) vary based on location, level of experience, and employment type (e.g., full-time, part-time, independent contractor). In Ontario, the general recommended salary for NPs ranges from $103,000 – $135,000, according to a Hay Group report (NPAO). In 2024, the government of Canada reported a median hourly rate of $57.69/hour (low: $36.32, high: $68.75). NP salaries are determined by the employer and the funding allocated by the government. For example, a nurse practitioner-led clinic is funded through Ontario Health, with a non-profit governing board responsible for allocating funds, including NP salaries. Many employers will adjust your annual salary based on years of experience as an NP. The NPAO continues to advocate for increases in NP salaries.
Starting April 2026, NPs in Ontario will be able to bill OHIP for medically necessary primary care services. For NPs who bill OHIP, income may become variable, depending on hours worked, patient volume, and overhead costs. Salaries for these NPs will reflect a combination of base funding, billable services, and any operational expenses required to maintain the practice.
Closing thoughts: Each year I’ve worked as an NP, I’ve seen expansion in scope of practice, salary improvements, and billing opportunities. The possibilities in this career path are truly limitless, and Ontario is increasingly recognizing the value of NPs in the healthcare system.
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References
Ontario Helping More Students Become Nurse Practitioners. Government of Ontario [Internet]. [2023; May 23, 2024]. Available from https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003850/ontario-helping-more-students-become-nurse-practitionersCollege of Nurses of Ontario. Nursing Statistics Report. 2024. Available from https://www.cno.org/Assets/CNO/Documents/Statistics/latest-reports/nursing-statistics-report-2024.pdf
Work-life balance, salary and allowances for nurses. Government of Canada [Internet]. [2022; May 23, 2024]. Available form https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1580672006998/1580672137107Ask a Lawyer: Nurse Practitioner Billing. Canadian Nurses Protective Society [Internet]. [2016; May 23, 2024]. Available from https://cnps.ca/article/nurse-practitioner-billing/Funding, Hiring, and Compensation for Nurse Practitioners. Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario [Internet]. [n.d. May 23, 2024]. Available from https://npao.org/about-npao/npao-faqs/#:~:text=NPs%20do%20not%20bill%20OHIP,which%20includes%20salary%20and%20benefits.CBC News. Public health plans to cover primary care by nurse practitioners and midwives in 2026. 2025. Available from https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/provincial-health-plans-nurse-practitioners-1.7428343
NP FAQs. Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario. [Internet]. [2024; May 23, 2024]. Available from https://npao.org/about-npao/npao-faqs/Murky rules for nurse practitioners give rise to private clinics in Ontario. CBC News. [Internet]. [2024; May 24, 2024]. Available from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-nurse-practitioner-private-clinics-1.7127951Government of Canada. Extended Class Registered Nurse. Prevailing Wages. 2024. Available from https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/24954/ON;jsessionid=405E0EDB12F862B3E3F1FE161F775F14.jobsearch77