In an era when the average Canadian new grad has $25K in student debt, students must be strategic when enrolling in a post-secondary academic program. Though deciding on a future career path is no easy choice, knowing the ‘pay-off’ of a future job can ensure your time and tuition is well spent.

Not surprisingly, there are a lot of healthcare jobs that can tip the cost-benefit ratio – and not all of them involve becoming a doctor.

Here are six healthcare jobs with an average salary over $100,000.

Pharmacist

Just last year, Canadian Business named “pharmacist” one of the best jobs in the country.  Apart from the fact that pharmacist jobs are plentiful, this recognition is largely due to the position’s earning power: the average take-home of Canadian pharmacists tips the scales at $103,926, and is projected to continue rising in the coming years.

No doubt, a four-year Bachelor of Science degree is required, but given the potential earnings, this is a safe bet.

Psychiatrist

Ever have the feeling everyone around you is crazy? There may be a reason for that: there are gaps in mental health service, despite extremely high demand. While this is sad news for Canada, it’s good news for anyone interested in a career in psychiatry (which, if you’re unaware, involves the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions).

Psychiatrists can work in hospitals, public health centers, or their own private practice. Due to this variability, the number of patients they see per day can range widely and will determine their overall billable income. Despite this, the average annual salary for Canadian psychiatrists sits at a comfortable median of $174,978.

 Anesthesiologist

An anesthesiologist is a physician tasked to prepare and provide safe and effective anesthesia to patients prior to surgeries or procedures. Note that this career differs from an anesthetist, which is a registered nurse who may also be qualified to administer anesthesia.

With such large responsibilities, the anesthesiologist role requires lengthy education, including an undergraduate program in anesthesiology and then medical school. Fortunately, the salary is reflective of this, with an average annual income of $195,933.

 Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists (commonly confused with the optometrist) are highly specialized medical doctors who focus on eye diseases and optical surgery. In addition to practicing medicine and surgery, the ophthalmologist is often involved in clinical research, making this career a good match for those who like a little variety on the job.

As it is a focused area, ophthalmology can mean many years of education, residency, and fellowships. It is worth it in the long run: ophthalmologists earn an average salary of  $159,316 per year in Canada.

 Dentist

Pursuing a career in dentistry is a big investment: you can anticipate four to five years of dental school, following completion of an undergraduate program. However, the long-term benefit is worth the more immediate costs. Dentists often own their own private clinics or can be recruited by another practitioner or healthcare organization. Their salary, therefore, depends on the circumstances of employment. Nevertheless, with an average salary of $102,915, you will be paying off your student loans in no time.

 General surgeon

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that general surgeons are one of the highest paid health care professions. The high level of training and responsibility associated with general surgeon’s roles also make it one of the most highly trained career paths in the medical professional world. The position requires an undergraduate degree, a medical school degree, and a five-year residency in general surgery.

However, despite the long-haul education and equally large tuition investments, the compensation for general surgeons in Canada is quite lucrative, with an average annual salary of $194,102.