Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Industrial millwright vs Plumber
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Industrial millwright is ahead by year 10 ($638k against $578k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes.
| Measure | Industrial millwright | Plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
| Credential | Certificate of Qualification (433A) | Certificate of Qualification (306A) |
| Years to finish | 4 | 5 |
| First real paycheque | Month one | Month one |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $0 | $0 |
| Earnings, first years | $45,000 | $39,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $69,000 | $63,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $638k | $578k |
| Demand in Ontario | Steady | Steady |
| Time in a classroom | 15% | 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.
Industrial millwright
A day looks like: Installing, maintaining and repairing industrial machinery. Mechanical problem-solving with heavy equipment.
What stops people: Fewer openings than construction trades; factories and plants hire in small numbers.
Downside: Shift work in manufacturing plants. If the plant closes, you move.
Plumber
A day looks like: Installing and repairing water, drainage and gas systems in homes and commercial buildings; paid on-the-job hours plus in-school blocks.
What stops people: Sponsoring employer, same as most construction trades.
Downside: Physically hard on knees and back over decades. Emergency and weekend calls are part of the job.
Quick answers
Which pays more, industrial millwright or plumber?
By year five, Industrial millwright is about $69,000 and Plumber about $63,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Industrial millwright nets roughly $638k and Plumber roughly $578k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Industrial millwright: month one. Plumber: month one.
What does each cost?
Industrial millwright: $1,500 in tuition and fees, typical debt $0. Plumber: $1,500, typical debt $0.
What is the downside of each?
Industrial millwright: Shift work in manufacturing plants. If the plant closes, you move. Plumber: Physically hard on knees and back over decades. Emergency and weekend calls are part of the 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.