Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Computer programming vs Electrician
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Electrician is ahead by year 10 ($602k against $466k), because it starts earning earlier. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Electrician gets to a real paycheque first (month one). Electrician costs $11,300 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Electrician in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Computer programming | Electrician |
|---|---|---|
| Route | College diploma | Apprenticeship |
| Credential | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | Certificate of Qualification (309A) |
| Years to finish | 3 | 5 |
| First real paycheque | About 3 years | Month one |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $13,300 | $2,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $16,700 | $0 |
| Earnings, first years | $52,000 | $39,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $75,000 | $66,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $466k | $602k |
| Demand in Ontario | Limited | Steady |
| Time in a classroom | 70% | 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.
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.
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, computer programming or electrician?
By year five, Computer programming is about $75,000 and Electrician about $66,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Computer programming nets roughly $466k and Electrician roughly $602k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Computer programming: about 3 years. Electrician: month one.
What does each cost?
Computer programming: $13,300 in tuition and fees, typical debt $16,700. Electrician: $2,000, typical debt $0.
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. 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.
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.