Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Civil engineering technology vs Early childhood education
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Civil engineering technology is ahead by year 10 ($390k against $316k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Early childhood education gets to a real paycheque first (about 2 years). Early childhood education costs $4,000 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Early childhood education in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Civil engineering technology | Early childhood education |
|---|---|---|
| Route | College diploma | College diploma |
| Credential | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | Ontario College Diploma |
| Years to finish | 3 | 2 |
| First real paycheque | About 3 years | About 2 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $13,500 | $9,500 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $16,700 | $16,700 |
| Earnings, first years | $43,000 | $34,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $63,500 | $43,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $390k | $316k |
| Demand in Ontario | Steady | High |
| Time in a classroom | 65% | 55% |
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.
Civil engineering technology
A day looks like: Surveying, materials testing, CAD, site inspection for roads, bridges and buildings.
What stops people: Math. Students who scraped through Advanced Functions struggle in first year.
Downside: You do the field and drafting work engineers sign off on; the P.Eng ceiling requires going back for a degree.
Early childhood education
A day looks like: Working with children under six in daycares and kindergartens; planning play-based learning.
What stops people: Placements require police checks and immunisation records; otherwise accessible.
Downside: Low pay ceiling despite high demand. Many leave for teaching or move into administration.
Quick answers
Which pays more, civil engineering technology or early childhood education?
By year five, Civil engineering technology is about $63,500 and Early childhood education about $43,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Civil engineering technology nets roughly $390k and Early childhood education roughly $316k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Civil engineering technology: about 3 years. Early childhood education: about 2 years.
What does each cost?
Civil engineering technology: $13,500 in tuition and fees, typical debt $16,700. Early childhood education: $9,500, typical debt $16,700.
What is the downside of each?
Civil engineering technology: You do the field and drafting work engineers sign off on; the P.Eng ceiling requires going back for a degree. Early childhood education: Low pay ceiling despite high demand. Many leave for teaching or move into administration.
Get your own three
Seven questions, two minutes, no sign-up. The same numbers as this page, ranked for your answers.
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.