Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Computer programming vs Dental hygiene
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Dental hygiene is ahead by year 10 ($528k against $466k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Computer programming costs $16,700 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Dental hygiene in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Computer programming | Dental hygiene |
|---|---|---|
| Route | College diploma | College diploma |
| Credential | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | Ontario College Advanced Diploma |
| Years to finish | 3 | 3 |
| First real paycheque | About 3 years | About 3 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $13,300 | $30,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $16,700 | $16,700 |
| Earnings, first years | $52,000 | $64,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $75,000 | $86,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $466k | $528k |
| Demand in Ontario | Limited | High |
| Time in a classroom | 70% | 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.
Computer programming
A day looks like: Coding, testing, working in small teams. Co-op terms matter enormously.
What stops people: Getting the first job; entry-level tech hiring has tightened since 2023.
Downside: Employers increasingly expect a degree or a strong portfolio. AI tools are changing what junior developers do.
Dental hygiene
A day looks like: Cleanings, assessments and patient education in dental offices. Regular hours, no nights.
What stops people: Competitive admission and expensive instruments and licensing.
Downside: Repetitive physical strain (neck, wrists). Many hygienists work part-time across several clinics rather than one full-time job.
Quick answers
Which pays more, computer programming or dental hygiene?
By year five, Computer programming is about $75,000 and Dental hygiene about $86,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Computer programming nets roughly $466k and Dental hygiene roughly $528k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Computer programming: about 3 years. Dental hygiene: about 3 years.
What does each cost?
Computer programming: $13,300 in tuition and fees, typical debt $16,700. Dental hygiene: $30,000, typical debt $16,700.
What is the downside of each?
Computer programming: Employers increasingly expect a degree or a strong portfolio. AI tools are changing what junior developers do. Dental hygiene: Repetitive physical strain (neck, wrists). Many hygienists work part-time across several clinics rather than one full-time 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.