Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Respiratory therapy vs Nursing (RN)
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Respiratory therapy is ahead by year 10 ($567k against $449k), because it starts earning earlier. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Respiratory therapy gets to a real paycheque first (about 3 years). Respiratory therapy costs $21,000 less to get into.
| Measure | Respiratory therapy | Nursing (RN) |
|---|---|---|
| Route | College diploma | University degree |
| Credential | Ontario College Advanced Diploma; CRTO registration | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) |
| Years to finish | 3 | 4 |
| First real paycheque | About 3 years | About 4 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $15,000 | $36,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $16,700 | $30,600 |
| Earnings, first years | $70,000 | $75,000 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $89,000 | $83,700 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $567k | $449k |
| Demand in Ontario | High | High |
| Time in a classroom | 65% | 60% |
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.
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.
Nursing (RN)
A day looks like: Science courses plus clinical placements from second year; hospital, community or specialty practice after.
What stops people: Competitive admission (high 80s) and heavy clinical hours.
Downside: Shift work, understaffing and burnout are serious in Ontario hospitals right now.
Quick answers
Which pays more, respiratory therapy or nursing (rn)?
By year five, Respiratory therapy is about $89,000 and Nursing (RN) about $83,700 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Respiratory therapy nets roughly $567k and Nursing (RN) roughly $449k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Respiratory therapy: about 3 years. Nursing (RN): about 4 years.
What does each cost?
Respiratory therapy: $15,000 in tuition and fees, typical debt $16,700. Nursing (RN): $36,000, typical debt $30,600.
What is the downside of each?
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. Nursing (RN): Shift work, understaffing and burnout are serious in Ontario hospitals right now.
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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.