Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Police constable vs Personal support worker
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Police constable is ahead by year 10 ($1011k against $441k), because it pays more per year once you are working. 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). Police constable costs $4,600 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Personal support worker in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Police constable | Personal support worker |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Straight to work | Straight to work |
| Credential | OACP certificate, then Ontario Police College (12 weeks, tuition covered by the province) | PSW certificate |
| Years to finish | 1 | 1 |
| First real paycheque | About 9 months | About 8 months |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $0 | $4,600 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $0 | $0 |
| Earnings, first years | $77,600 | $38,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $110,000 | $47,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $1011k | $441k |
| Demand in Ontario | Steady | High |
| Time in a classroom | 20% | 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.
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.
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, police constable or personal support worker?
By year five, Police constable is about $110,000 and Personal support worker about $47,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Police constable nets roughly $1011k and Personal support worker roughly $441k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Police constable: about 9 months. Personal support worker: about 8 months.
What does each cost?
Police constable: $0 in tuition and fees, typical debt $0. Personal support worker: $4,600, 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. Personal support worker: Physically and emotionally demanding, and wages plateau early. Many use it as a step into nursing.
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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.