Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Landscaping and snow removal vs General carpenter
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Landscaping and snow removal is ahead by year 10 ($606k against $579k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. General carpenter gets to a real paycheque first (month one). Landscaping and snow removal costs $1,500 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Landscaping and snow removal in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Landscaping and snow removal | General carpenter |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Start something | Apprenticeship |
| Credential | Registered business | Certificate of Qualification (403A) |
| Years to finish | No formal credential | 4 |
| First real paycheque | About 3 months | Month one |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $0 | $1,500 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $0 | $0 |
| Earnings, first years | $32,000 | $43,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $70,000 | $62,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $606k | $579k |
| Demand in Ontario | High | Steady |
| Time in a classroom | 0% | 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.
Landscaping and snow removal
A day looks like: Mowing, cleanups and installs from April to November; plowing overnight in winter. Long summer days.
What stops people: Equipment costs and the first two seasons of building a route.
Downside: Weather decides your income. Snow contracts carry real liability if someone slips.
General carpenter
A day looks like: Framing, formwork, finishing; residential and commercial sites. Very hands-on, visible results daily.
What stops people: Easy to start, harder to reach top pay without specialising or going union.
Downside: Pay ceiling is lower than electrical or plumbing unless you move into site supervision or your own company. Outdoor work in every season.
Quick answers
Which pays more, landscaping and snow removal or general carpenter?
By year five, Landscaping and snow removal is about $70,000 and General carpenter about $62,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Landscaping and snow removal nets roughly $606k and General carpenter roughly $579k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Landscaping and snow removal: about 3 months. General carpenter: month one.
What does each cost?
Landscaping and snow removal: $0 in tuition and fees, typical debt $0. General carpenter: $1,500, typical debt $0.
What is the downside of each?
Landscaping and snow removal: Weather decides your income. Snow contracts carry real liability if someone slips. General carpenter: Pay ceiling is lower than electrical or plumbing unless you move into site supervision or your own company. Outdoor work in every season.
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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.