Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Practical nursing (RPN) vs Respiratory therapy
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Respiratory therapy is ahead by year 10 ($567k against $448k), because it pays more per year once you are working. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Practical nursing (RPN) gets to a real paycheque first (about 2 years). Practical nursing (RPN) costs $5,100 less to get into.
| Measure | Practical nursing (RPN) | Respiratory therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Route | College diploma | College diploma |
| Credential | Ontario College Diploma | Ontario College Advanced Diploma; CRTO registration |
| Years to finish | 2 | 3 |
| First real paycheque | About 2 years | About 3 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $9,900 | $15,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $16,700 | $16,700 |
| Earnings, first years | $49,000 | $70,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $60,000 | $89,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $448k | $567k |
| Demand in Ontario | High | High |
| Time in a classroom | 60% | 65% |
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.
Practical nursing (RPN)
A day looks like: Hands-on patient care in hospitals and long-term care. Clinical placements start in first year.
What stops people: Competitive admission; strong Grade 12 biology and English needed.
Downside: Twelve-hour shifts, nights and weekends. The RPN-to-RN bridge takes another two to three years if you want the higher ceiling.
Respiratory therapy
A day looks like: Running ventilators and oxygen therapy, intubations, sleep and lung testing, on hospital floors and in the ICU, after three years that are roughly half classroom and half lab and clinical.
What stops people: Admission. Far more qualified applicants than seats; apply by February 1 with strong senior science marks.
Downside: ICU and emergency work: twelve-hour shifts, nights, and some of the hardest moments in a hospital. Clinical placements can mean relocating for a semester.
Quick answers
Which pays more, practical nursing (rpn) or respiratory therapy?
By year five, Practical nursing (RPN) is about $60,000 and Respiratory therapy about $89,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Practical nursing (RPN) nets roughly $448k and Respiratory therapy roughly $567k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Practical nursing (RPN): about 2 years. Respiratory therapy: about 3 years.
What does each cost?
Practical nursing (RPN): $9,900 in tuition and fees, typical debt $16,700. Respiratory therapy: $15,000, typical debt $16,700.
What is the downside of each?
Practical nursing (RPN): Twelve-hour shifts, nights and weekends. The RPN-to-RN bridge takes another two to three years if you want the higher ceiling. Respiratory therapy: ICU and emergency work: twelve-hour shifts, nights, and some of the hardest moments in a hospital. Clinical placements can mean relocating for a semester.
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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.