Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Police constable vs Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training)
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Police constable is ahead by year 10 ($1011k against $742k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) gets to a real paycheque first (month one). Job Bank rates demand higher for Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Police constable | Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Straight to work | Other route |
| Credential | OACP certificate, then Ontario Police College (12 weeks, tuition covered by the province) | Trade qualification plus military service |
| Years to finish | 1 | 2 |
| First real paycheque | About 9 months | Month one |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $0 | $0 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $0 | $0 |
| Earnings, first years | $77,600 | $52,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $110,000 | $80,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $1011k | $742k |
| Demand in Ontario | Steady | High |
| Time in a classroom | 20% | 30% |
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.
Police constable
A day looks like: After twelve weeks at the Ontario Police College, a probationary year on patrol with a coach officer, then general patrol on rotating twelve-hour shifts before any specialised unit.
What stops people: A long, uncertain hiring funnel: OACP certificate, fitness test, background, psychological and sometimes polygraph. Many apply to several services for a year or more.
Downside: Shift work, trauma exposure and public scrutiny for a whole career. Nothing is paid until a service hires you, and most applicants are not hired on the first try.
Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training)
A day looks like: Basic training, then paid trade school (vehicle tech, electrician, medic, cook, IT and dozens more), then working in the trade on a base.
What stops people: Medical and fitness screening, and a multi-year service commitment.
Downside: You go where they post you. Deployments are possible. Leaving early is not simple.
Quick answers
Which pays more, police constable or canadian armed forces (paid trade training)?
By year five, Police constable is about $110,000 and Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) about $80,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Police constable nets roughly $1011k and Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training) roughly $742k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Police constable: about 9 months. Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training): month one.
What does each cost?
Police constable: $0 in tuition and fees, typical debt $0. Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training): $0, typical debt $0.
What is the downside of each?
Police constable: Shift work, trauma exposure and public scrutiny for a whole career. Nothing is paid until a service hires you, and most applicants are not hired on the first try. Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training): You go where they post you. Deployments are possible. Leaving early is not simple.
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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.