Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
General carpenter vs HVAC / refrigeration mechanic
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, HVAC / refrigeration mechanic is ahead by year 10 ($656k against $579k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Job Bank rates demand higher for HVAC / refrigeration mechanic in Ontario right now.
| Measure | General carpenter | HVAC / refrigeration mechanic |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
| Credential | Certificate of Qualification (403A) | Certificate of Qualification (313A) |
| 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 | $43,000 | $42,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $62,000 | $72,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $579k | $656k |
| Demand in Ontario | Steady | High |
| 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.
General carpenter
A day looks like: Framing, formwork, finishing; residential and commercial sites. Very hands-on, visible results daily.
What stops people: Easy to start, harder to reach top pay without specialising or going union.
Downside: Pay ceiling is lower than electrical or plumbing unless you move into site supervision or your own company. Outdoor work in every season.
HVAC / refrigeration mechanic
A day looks like: Installing and servicing heating, cooling and refrigeration systems. Increasingly technical as heat pumps and controls become standard.
What stops people: Sponsoring employer.
Downside: Attics in July and rooftops in January. Demand is high partly because the work is uncomfortable.
Quick answers
Which pays more, general carpenter or hvac / refrigeration mechanic?
By year five, General carpenter is about $62,000 and HVAC / refrigeration mechanic about $72,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, General carpenter nets roughly $579k and HVAC / refrigeration mechanic roughly $656k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
General carpenter: month one. HVAC / refrigeration mechanic: month one.
What does each cost?
General carpenter: $1,500 in tuition and fees, typical debt $0. HVAC / refrigeration mechanic: $1,500, typical debt $0.
What is the downside of each?
General carpenter: Pay ceiling is lower than electrical or plumbing unless you move into site supervision or your own company. Outdoor work in every season. HVAC / refrigeration mechanic: Attics in July and rooftops in January. Demand is high partly because the work is uncomfortable.
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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.