Three RoutesCompare · Ontario figures · updated 2 November 2026
Steamfitter / pipefitter vs Engineering
Same columns, no opinion about which is better for you. On typical Ontario figures, Steamfitter / pipefitter is ahead by year 10 ($823k against $486k), because it starts earning earlier. The gap is before tax, rent and loan interest, which hit both routes. Steamfitter / pipefitter gets to a real paycheque first (month one). Steamfitter / pipefitter costs $50,500 less to get into. Job Bank rates demand higher for Engineering in Ontario right now.
| Measure | Steamfitter / pipefitter | Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Apprenticeship | University degree |
| Credential | Certificate of Qualification (307A) | Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) |
| Years to finish | 5 | 4 |
| First real paycheque | Month one | About 4 years |
| Cost (tuition and fees) | $1,500 | $52,000 |
| Typical debt if you borrow | $0 | $30,600 |
| Earnings, first years | $46,000 | $79,100 |
| Earnings by year 5 | $92,000 | $95,000 |
| Net by year 10 (typical) | $823k | $486k |
| Demand in Ontario | Steady | High |
| Time in a classroom | 10% | 80% |
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.
Steamfitter / pipefitter
A day looks like: Welding, threading and fitting high-pressure pipe for heating, process and nuclear systems, mostly on industrial sites, with eight weeks a year in trade school, paid throughout.
What stops people: Getting into a UA Local 46 or 787 intake, or finding a non-union sponsor. Intakes open only a few times a year and are competitive.
Downside: Five years to the ticket. Industrial, refinery and nuclear sites mean travel, shutdown schedules and long stretches away from home.
Engineering
A day looks like: Heavy math and labs for four years; co-op terms in industry. Specialise in second year.
What stops people: Admission averages of 88–95 at the major schools, and a brutal first year.
Downside: Five years if you do co-op, which you should. High tuition. Roughly a fifth of students switch out after first year.
Quick answers
Which pays more, steamfitter / pipefitter or engineering?
By year five, Steamfitter / pipefitter is about $92,000 and Engineering about $95,000 (Ontario medians, before tax). By year ten, counting what each cost, Steamfitter / pipefitter nets roughly $823k and Engineering roughly $486k.
Which is faster to a real paycheque?
Steamfitter / pipefitter: month one. Engineering: about 4 years.
What does each cost?
Steamfitter / pipefitter: $1,500 in tuition and fees, typical debt $0. Engineering: $52,000, typical debt $30,600.
What is the downside of each?
Steamfitter / pipefitter: Five years to the ticket. Industrial, refinery and nuclear sites mean travel, shutdown schedules and long stretches away from home. Engineering: Five years if you do co-op, which you should. High tuition. Roughly a fifth of students switch out after first year.
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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.