Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Early childhood education vs Personal support worker
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Personal support worker is ahead by year 10 ($441k against $316k), because it starts earning earlier. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Personal support worker gets to a real paycheque first (about 8 months). Personal support worker costs $4,900 less to get into.
| Measure | Early childhood education | Personal support worker |
|---|---|---|
| Route | College diploma | Straight to work |
| Credential | Ontario College Diploma | PSW certificate |
| Years to finish | 2 | 1 |
| First real paycheque | About 2 years | About 8 months |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $9,500 | $4,600 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $16,700 | $0 |
| Earnings, first years | $34,000 | $38,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $43,000 | $47,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $316k | $441k |
| Demand in Ontario | High | High |
| Time in a classroom | 55% | 50% |
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.
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.
Personal support worker
A day looks like: Personal care for seniors and patients in long-term care, hospitals or homes.
What stops people: None. Ontario has subsidised most PSW tuition because the shortage is severe.
Downside: Physically and emotionally demanding, and wages plateau early. Many use it as a step into nursing.
Quick answers
Which pays more, early childhood education or personal support worker?
By year five, Early childhood education is about $43,000 and Personal support worker about $47,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Early childhood education nets roughly $316k and Personal support worker roughly $441k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Early childhood education: about 2 years. Personal support worker: about 8 months.
What does each cost?
Early childhood education: $9,500 in tuition and fees, typical debt $16,700. Personal support worker: $4,600, typical debt $0.
What is the downside of each?
Early childhood education: Low pay ceiling despite high demand. Many leave for teaching or move into administration. Personal support worker: Physically and emotionally demanding, and wages plateau early. Many use it as a step into nursing.
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.