Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Civil engineering technology vs Respiratory therapy
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Respiratory therapy is ahead by year 10 ($567k against $390k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Civil engineering technology gets to a real paycheque first (about 3 years). Civil engineering technology costs $1,500 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Respiratory therapy in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Civil engineering technology | Respiratory therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Route | College diploma | College diploma |
| Credential | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | Ontario College Advanced Diploma; CRTO registration |
| Years to finish | 3 | 3 |
| First real paycheque | About 3 years | About 3 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $13,500 | $15,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $16,700 | $16,700 |
| Earnings, first years | $43,000 | $70,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $63,500 | $89,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $390k | $567k |
| Demand in Ontario | Steady | High |
| Time in a classroom | 65% | 65% |
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.
Respiratory therapy
A day looks like: Running ventilators and oxygen therapy, intubations, sleep and lung testing, on hospital floors and in the ICU, after three years that are roughly half classroom and half lab and clinical.
What stops people: Admission. Far more qualified applicants than seats; apply by February 1 with strong senior science marks.
Downside: ICU and emergency work: twelve-hour shifts, nights, and some of the hardest moments in a hospital. Clinical placements can mean relocating for a semester.
Quick answers
Which pays more, civil engineering technology or respiratory therapy?
By year five, Civil engineering technology is about $63,500 and Respiratory therapy about $89,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Civil engineering technology nets roughly $390k and Respiratory therapy roughly $567k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Civil engineering technology: about 3 years. Respiratory therapy: about 3 years.
What does each cost?
Civil engineering technology: $13,500 in tuition and fees, typical debt $16,700. Respiratory therapy: $15,000, 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. Respiratory therapy: ICU and emergency work: twelve-hour shifts, nights, and some of the hardest moments in a hospital. Clinical placements can mean relocating for a semester.
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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.