Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Air traffic controller (NAV Canada) vs Police constable
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Police constable is ahead by year 10 ($1011k against $992k), because it starts earning earlier. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Police constable gets to a real paycheque first (about 9 months). Job Bank rates demand higher for Air traffic controller (NAV Canada) in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Air traffic controller (NAV Canada) | Police constable |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Straight to work | Straight to work |
| Credential | NAV Canada licence; paid training, 12 to 27 months | OACP certificate, then Ontario Police College (12 weeks, tuition covered by the province) |
| Years to finish | 2 | 1 |
| First real paycheque | About 1 year | About 9 months |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $0 | $0 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $0 | $0 |
| Earnings, first years | $58,600 | $77,600 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $125,000 | $110,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $992k | $1011k |
| Demand in Ontario | High | Steady |
| Time in a classroom | 50% | 20% |
Earnings by year, roughly
Before tax. Years in school show as "school". Medians rise from the starting figure to the year-5 figure, then stay flat.
Air traffic controller (NAV Canada)
A day looks like: Online aptitude tests and an assessment centre, then one to two years of paid classroom and simulator training, then live traffic under supervision in a tower or area control centre.
What stops people: Roughly one in a hundred applicants is accepted into training, and under half of trainees graduate. Failing a stage can mean a multi-year wait before you can reapply.
Downside: Rotating shifts for a career, relocation to wherever the opening is, and a training wash-out rate that would be unacceptable anywhere else. Not a fallback plan.
Police constable
A day looks like: After twelve weeks at the Ontario Police College, a probationary year on patrol with a coach officer, then general patrol on rotating twelve-hour shifts before any specialised unit.
What stops people: A long, uncertain hiring funnel: OACP certificate, fitness test, background, psychological and sometimes polygraph. Many apply to several services for a year or more.
Downside: Shift work, trauma exposure and public scrutiny for a whole career. Nothing is paid until a service hires you, and most applicants are not hired on the first try.
Quick answers
Which pays more, air traffic controller (nav canada) or police constable?
By year five, Air traffic controller (NAV Canada) is about $125,000 and Police constable about $110,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Air traffic controller (NAV Canada) nets roughly $992k and Police constable roughly $1011k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Air traffic controller (NAV Canada): about 1 year. Police constable: about 9 months.
What does each cost?
Air traffic controller (NAV Canada): $0 in tuition and fees, typical debt $0. Police constable: $0, typical debt $0.
What is the downside of each?
Air traffic controller (NAV Canada): Rotating shifts for a career, relocation to wherever the opening is, and a training wash-out rate that would be unacceptable anywhere else. Not a fallback plan. Police constable: Shift work, trauma exposure and public scrutiny for a whole career. Nothing is paid until a service hires you, and most applicants are not hired on the first try.
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Figures are Ontario medians and typical costs from Job Bank, Statistics Canada, Skilled Trades Ontario and institution fee pages; the data page lists every source and date. Switch province on either pathway page for BC, Alberta or Quebec figures.