Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Automotive service technician vs Plumber
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Plumber is ahead by year 10 ($578k against $538k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes.
| Measure | Automotive service technician | Plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
| Credential | Certificate of Qualification (310S) | Certificate of Qualification (306A) |
| Years to finish | 4 | 5 |
| First real paycheque | Month one | Month one |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $0 | $0 |
| Earnings, first years | $36,500 | $39,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $58,500 | $63,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $538k | $578k |
| Demand in Ontario | Steady | Steady |
| Time in a classroom | 15% | 15% |
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.
Automotive service technician
A day looks like: Diagnosing and repairing vehicles; increasingly electronics and EV systems rather than wrenching.
What stops people: Dealerships prefer applicants who already have a shop class or co-op.
Downside: Many shops pay by the job, not the hour, so slow weeks hurt. You buy your own tools, often $10–20k over a career.
Plumber
A day looks like: Installing and repairing water, drainage and gas systems in homes and commercial buildings; paid on-the-job hours plus in-school blocks.
What stops people: Sponsoring employer, same as most construction trades.
Downside: Physically hard on knees and back over decades. Emergency and weekend calls are part of the job.
Quick answers
Which pays more, automotive service technician or plumber?
By year five, Automotive service technician is about $58,500 and Plumber about $63,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Automotive service technician nets roughly $538k and Plumber roughly $578k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Automotive service technician: month one. Plumber: month one.
What does each cost?
Automotive service technician: $1,500 in tuition and fees, typical debt $0. Plumber: $1,500, typical debt $0.
What is the downside of each?
Automotive service technician: Many shops pay by the job, not the hour, so slow weeks hurt. You buy your own tools, often $10–20k over a career. Plumber: Physically hard on knees and back over decades. Emergency and weekend calls are part of the job.
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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.