Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) vs Electrician
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) is ahead by year 10 ($742k against $602k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) costs $2,000 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) | Electrician |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Other route | Apprenticeship |
| Credential | Trade qualification plus military service | Certificate of Qualification (309A) |
| Years to finish | 2 | 5 |
| First real paycheque | Month one | Month one |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $0 | $2,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $0 | $0 |
| Earnings, first years | $52,000 | $39,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $80,000 | $66,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $742k | $602k |
| Demand in Ontario | High | Steady |
| Time in a classroom | 30% | 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.
Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training)
A day looks like: Basic training, then paid trade school (vehicle tech, electrician, medic, cook, IT and dozens more), then working in the trade on a base.
What stops people: Medical and fitness screening, and a multi-year service commitment.
Downside: You go where they post you. Deployments are possible. Leaving early is not simple.
Electrician
A day looks like: You spend roughly four days a week on site with a journeyperson and eight weeks a year in trade school, paid throughout. Work ranges from wiring new houses to industrial panels.
What stops people: Finding an employer to sponsor you. The schooling is the easy part.
Downside: Two to six months of job-hunting before you start is normal. Construction work is cyclical and the first year is a lot of carrying things.
Quick answers
Which pays more, canadian armed forces (paid trade training) or electrician?
By year five, Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) is about $80,000 and Electrician about $66,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) nets roughly $742k and Electrician roughly $602k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training): month one. Electrician: month one.
What does each cost?
Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training): $0 in tuition and fees, typical debt $0. Electrician: $2,000, typical debt $0.
What is the downside of each?
Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training): You go where they post you. Deployments are possible. Leaving early is not simple. Electrician: Two to six months of job-hunting before you start is normal. Construction work is cyclical and the first year is a lot of carrying things.
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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.