52 of 52 pathways.
Straight to work
Air traffic controller (NAV Canada)
NAV Canada licence; paid training, 12 to 27 months
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 1 year 2
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$58,600 → $125,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$992k$843k to $1141k
Downside: Rotating shifts for a career, relocation to wherever the opening is, and a training wash-out rate that would be unacceptable anywhere else. Not a fallback plan.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
University degree
Arts & humanities
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
4 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 years 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$32,000 $30,600
Earnings, first years → year 5
$42,500 → $53,400
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$267k$217k to $315k
Downside: Starting salaries are the lowest of any degree. Earnings catch up by mid-career for those who move into law, teaching, policy or management.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Apprenticeship
Automotive service technician
Certificate of Qualification (310S)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,500 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$36,500 → $58,500
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$538k$457k to $619k
Downside: Many shops pay by the job, not the hour, so slow weeks hurt. You buy your own tools, often $10–20k over a career.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
AZ driver → owner-operator
AZ licence, then your own truck
First: AZ licence (about 3 months), then two years driving for a carrier before buying a truck.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 months 3
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$8,000 $120,000
Earnings, first years → year 5
$55,000 → $72,000
Startup capital Months to break even $30,000 12 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$642k$171k to $748k
Downside: Weeks away from home, a $120,000 truck loan before the first load, fuel and repairs out of your pocket, and freight rates that swing hard. Transportation had the worst closure rate of any sector in 2025.
◐ Partly verified
Straight to work
AZ truck driver
Class AZ licence (MELT course)
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 3 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$6,500 $4,000
Earnings, first years → year 5
$37,500 → $51,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$473k$400k to $546k
Downside: Long hours, sedentary, and away from home on long-haul. Autonomous trucking is a long-term question.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Barber or hairstylist → own chair or shop
Hairstylist licence (332A), then your own chair
First: Hairstylist apprenticeship or a private barber school, then build a client book.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 6 months 2
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$6,000 $3,000
Earnings, first years → year 5
$32,000 → $70,000
Startup capital Months to break even $8,000 4 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$591k$202k to $683k
Downside: On your feet all day; income depends on tips and repeat clients; a shop lease is a big step up in risk.
◐ Partly verified
University degree
Business / commerce
Bachelor of Commerce (BComm)
4 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 years 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$40,000 $30,600
Earnings, first years → year 5
$63,000 → $78,300
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$399k$327k to $469k
Downside: Crowded entry-level market. Outcomes depend heavily on co-op and the school's brand.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
College diploma
Business administration
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
3 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 3 years 3
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$14,000 $16,700
Earnings, first years → year 5
$45,000 → $58,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$366k$307k to $424k
Downside: Generic credential; outcomes depend almost entirely on co-op and networking.
*Debt can exceed tuition because student loans also cover rent and living costs. About half of graduates finish with no debt at all. Ontario capped the OSAP provincial grant share at 25% for study periods from August 2026, so new borrowers should expect more loan than this class-of-2020 figure.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Other route
Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training)
Trade qualification plus military service
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 2
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$52,000 → $80,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$742k$630k to $853k
Downside: You go where they post you. Deployments are possible. Leaving early is not simple.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
College diploma
Civil engineering technology
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
3 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 3 years 3
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$13,500 $16,700
Earnings, first years → year 5
$43,000 → $63,500
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$390k$327k to $452k
Downside: You do the field and drafting work engineers sign off on; the P.Eng ceiling requires going back for a degree.
*Debt can exceed tuition because student loans also cover rent and living costs. About half of graduates finish with no debt at all. Ontario capped the OSAP provincial grant share at 25% for study periods from August 2026, so new borrowers should expect more loan than this class-of-2020 figure.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Commercial hydroponic farm
Registered business; agriculture diploma strongly recommended
First: Two years of greenhouse or agriculture training, then work for an existing operation before starting your own.
2 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 years 2
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$9,000 $8,000
Earnings, first years → year 5
$10,000 → $45,000
Startup capital Months to break even $120,000 30 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$161k−$83k to $217k
Downside: Many well-funded vertical farms have failed on energy costs and price competition. Expect years before profit, if ever.
◐ Partly verified
College diploma
Computer programming
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
3 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 3 years 3
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$13,300 $16,700
Earnings, first years → year 5
$52,000 → $75,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$466k$392k to $539k
Downside: Employers increasingly expect a degree or a strong portfolio. AI tools are changing what junior developers do.
*Debt can exceed tuition because student loans also cover rent and living costs. About half of graduates finish with no debt at all. Ontario capped the OSAP provincial grant share at 25% for study periods from August 2026, so new borrowers should expect more loan than this class-of-2020 figure.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
University degree
Computer science
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
4 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 years 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$50,000 $30,600
Earnings, first years → year 5
$77,900 → $94,100
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$482k$395k to $567k
Downside: Entry-level hiring has cooled sharply. Outcomes are split between graduates with internships and those without.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Content creator or streamer
None
First: Video editing, consistency, and a thick skin. Do it alongside something that pays.
2 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 year 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$5,000 → $25,000
Startup capital Months to break even $1,500 18 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$174k$14k to $200k
Downside: Median income is close to zero and platforms change the rules without notice. Burnout is common.
◐ Partly verified
Straight to work
Correctional officer
Paid provincial training
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$64,000 → $76,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$732k$622k to $842k
Downside: Stressful, sometimes dangerous, with shift work and high burnout.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
College diploma
Dental hygiene
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
3 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 3 years 3
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$30,000 $16,700
Earnings, first years → year 5
$64,000 → $86,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$528k$440k to $615k
Downside: Repetitive physical strain (neck, wrists). Many hygienists work part-time across several clinics rather than one full-time job.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Dog walking, boarding and grooming
Registered business; grooming course optional
First: Grooming needs a short course and $5k in tools; walking and boarding need trust and insurance.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,500 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$25,000 → $50,000
Startup capital Months to break even $2,000 2 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$442k$116k to $510k
Downside: Low hourly pay for walking; grooming pays better but is physical and bite-risky. Apps like Rover set a price ceiling.
◐ Partly verified
College diploma
Early childhood education
Ontario College Diploma
2 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 years 2
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$9,500 $16,700
Earnings, first years → year 5
$34,000 → $43,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$317k$266k to $366k
Downside: Low pay ceiling despite high demand. Many leave for teaching or move into administration.
*Debt can exceed tuition because student loans also cover rent and living costs. About half of graduates finish with no debt at all. Ontario capped the OSAP provincial grant share at 25% for study periods from August 2026, so new borrowers should expect more loan than this class-of-2020 figure.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Apprenticeship
Electrician
Certificate of Qualification (309A)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 5
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$2,000 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$39,000 → $66,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$602k$511k to $693k
Downside: Two to six months of job-hunting before you start is normal. Construction work is cyclical and the first year is a lot of carrying things.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
University degree
Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
4 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 years 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$52,000 $30,600
Earnings, first years → year 5
$79,100 → $95,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$486k$398k to $572k
Downside: Five years if you do co-op, which you should. High tuition. Roughly a fifth of students switch out after first year.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Farming as a new entrant
Agriculture diploma, then years of farm work
First: An agriculture or horticulture diploma, then two to five years working for a farm. Land is the real barrier.
2 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 years 2
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$9,000 $8,000
Earnings, first years → year 5
$25,000 → $45,000
Startup capital Months to break even $250,000 48 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$61k−$197k to $135k
Downside: Long hours, weather and price risk, and a decade before real profit. Farm labour wages are low.
◐ Partly verified
Start something
Food truck, catering or home bakery
Food handler certificate; cook apprenticeship (415A) helps
First: Cook in someone else's kitchen for a year or two first. Home bakery is the low-capital entry.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 8 months 1
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$2,000 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$20,000 → $55,000
Startup capital Months to break even $60,000 18 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$395k$52k to $469k
Downside: Food margins are thin and most food businesses fail within five years. Twelve-hour days are normal.
◐ Partly verified
Apprenticeship
General carpenter
Certificate of Qualification (403A)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,500 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$43,000 → $62,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$579k$492k to $666k
Downside: Pay ceiling is lower than electrical or plumbing unless you move into site supervision or your own company. Outdoor work in every season.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Apprenticeship
HVAC / refrigeration mechanic
Certificate of Qualification (313A)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 5
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,500 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$42,000 → $72,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$656k$557k to $755k
Downside: Attics in July and rooftops in January. Demand is high partly because the work is uncomfortable.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Apprenticeship
Industrial millwright
Certificate of Qualification (433A)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,500 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$45,000 → $69,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$639k$542k to $735k
Downside: Shift work in manufacturing plants. If the plant closes, you move.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Junk removal and small moves
Registered business
First: A used cube van or truck and a dump account.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$30,000 → $65,000
Startup capital Months to break even $15,000 6 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$553k$162k to $640k
Downside: Heavy lifting, dump fees eat margin, and the big franchises outspend you on ads.
◐ Partly verified
Start something
Landscaping and snow removal
Registered business
First: A truck or trailer and a mower. Snow contracts fund the winter.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 3 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$32,000 → $70,000
Startup capital Months to break even $8,000 4 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$607k$184k to $699k
Downside: Weather decides your income. Snow contracts carry real liability if someone slips.
◐ Partly verified
University degree
Life sciences (pre-health)
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
4 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 years 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$32,000 $30,600
Earnings, first years → year 5
$50,200 → $63,100
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$321k$263k to $377k
Downside: On its own, the degree leads to lab-tech or sales roles at modest pay. It is a stepping stone, and the step is steep.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Microgreens and small indoor growing
Registered business
First: Basement or garage space, racks, lights, and a food-handling certificate.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 6 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$15,000 → $40,000
Startup capital Months to break even $10,000 9 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$328k$80k to $379k
Downside: Thin margins, perishable product, and a lot of dishwashing. Most stay a side income.
◐ Partly verified
Start something
Mobile car detailing
Registered business
First: None required; a weekend course helps. Van or trailer, water tank, generator.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 3 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$30,000 → $60,000
Startup capital Months to break even $5,000 3 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$528k$138k to $608k
Downside: Weather-dependent, physically repetitive, and price-sensitive customers.
◐ Partly verified
University degree
Nursing (RN)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
4 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 years 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$36,000 $30,600
Earnings, first years → year 5
$75,000 → $83,700
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$449k$371k to $525k
Downside: Shift work, understaffing and burnout are serious in Ontario hospitals right now.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Online store or reselling
Registered business
First: Product knowledge in one niche and basic photography.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 6 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$12,000 → $35,000
Startup capital Months to break even $2,000 6 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$291k$50k to $335k
Downside: Most stores earn below minimum wage per hour worked. The ones that win usually have a real product, not dropshipping.
◐ Partly verified
College diploma
Paramedic
Ontario College Diploma
2 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 years 2
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$17,500 $16,700
Earnings, first years → year 5
$60,000 → $82,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$595k$500k to $688k
Downside: Trauma exposure and burnout are real; many paramedics move on within ten years.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Straight to work
Personal support worker
PSW certificate
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 8 months 1
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$4,600 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$38,000 → $47,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$441k$374k to $509k
Downside: Physically and emotionally demanding, and wages plateau early. Many use it as a step into nursing.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Photography and video services
Portfolio; a college certificate helps
First: A portfolio and a niche: weddings, real estate, corporate video, sports.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 9 months 1
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$4,000 $2,000
Earnings, first years → year 5
$18,000 → $45,000
Startup capital Months to break even $5,000 9 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$367k$91k to $424k
Downside: Feast-and-famine income, weekend work, and constant gear costs.
◐ Partly verified
Apprenticeship
Plumber
Certificate of Qualification (306A)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 5
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,500 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$39,000 → $63,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$579k$491k to $666k
Downside: Physically hard on knees and back over decades. Emergency and weekend calls are part of the job.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Straight to work
Police constable
OACP certificate, then Ontario Police College (12 weeks, tuition covered by the province)
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 9 months 1
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$77,600 → $110,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$1011k$859k to $1163k
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.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Apprenticeship
Powerline technician
Certificate of Qualification (434A)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,000 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$58,000 → $88,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$817k$694k to $939k
Downside: Heights, storms and live lines. Callouts at 3 a.m. after ice storms are the job.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
College diploma
Practical nursing (RPN)
Ontario College Diploma
2 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 years 2
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$9,900 $16,700
Earnings, first years → year 5
$49,000 → $60,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$448k$378k to $518k
Downside: Twelve-hour shifts, nights and weekends. The RPN-to-RN bridge takes another two to three years if you want the higher ceiling.
*Debt can exceed tuition because student loans also cover rent and living costs. About half of graduates finish with no debt at all. Ontario capped the OSAP provincial grant share at 25% for study periods from August 2026, so new borrowers should expect more loan than this class-of-2020 figure.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Pressure washing and window cleaning
Registered business
First: None. A commercial washer, a ladder, and insurance.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$25,000 → $55,000
Startup capital Months to break even $4,000 2 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$481k$126k to $554k
Downside: Low barrier means low prices. Most people run this alongside something else rather than as a career.
◐ Partly verified
University degree
Psychology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
4 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 4 years 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$32,000 $30,600
Earnings, first years → year 5
$50,300 → $62,900
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$320k$263k to $376k
Downside: To work as a psychologist you need a PhD. The BA alone competes with every other arts degree.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Straight to work
Rail conductor
Employer-paid training
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 3 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$60,000 → $88,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$817k$694k to $940k
Downside: On call around the clock for the first years. Home life suffers until you have seniority.
◐ Partly verified
Start something
Residential cleaning business
Registered sole proprietorship
First: None required. Insurance, WSIB and a reliable car first.
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$35,000 → $65,000
Startup capital Months to break even $3,000 3 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$582k$155k to $670k
Downside: You are the business: no clients, no income. Growth means hiring and managing people, which is a different job than cleaning.
◐ Partly verified
College diploma
Respiratory therapy
Ontario College Advanced Diploma; CRTO registration
4 yrs mostly school 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 3 years 3
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$15,000 $16,700
Earnings, first years → year 5
$70,000 → $89,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$567k$477k to $656k
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.
*Debt can exceed tuition because student loans also cover rent and living costs. About half of graduates finish with no debt at all. Ontario capped the OSAP provincial grant share at 25% for study periods from August 2026, so new borrowers should expect more loan than this class-of-2020 figure.
◐ Partly verified
Apprenticeship
Steamfitter / pipefitter
Certificate of Qualification (307A)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 5
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,500 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$46,000 → $92,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$823k$699k to $946k
Downside: Five years to the ticket. Industrial, refinery and nuclear sites mean travel, shutdown schedules and long stretches away from home.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Other route
Structured gap year
None, by design
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 1
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$35,900 → depends on next step
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
depends
Downside: Universities and colleges accept deferrals, but you must apply first. Earnings are minimum-wage-level. Year-five earnings depend entirely on what you do next.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Trade ticket → your own contracting company
Certificate of Qualification, then a registered company
First: Finish an apprenticeship first (electrician, plumber, HVAC, carpenter). Five years of paid work before you start.
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 5
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$3,000 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$40,000 → $85,000
Startup capital Months to break even $15,000 3 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$738k$388k to $853k
Downside: You become the estimator, bookkeeper and collections department. Many good tradespeople dislike running a company.
◐ Partly verified
Straight to work
Transit or bus operator
Employer training; G licence required
First real paycheque Years to finish
About 2 months 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$60,000 → $80,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$757k$643k to $870k
Downside: Split shifts, early mornings and dealing with the public all day.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Apprenticeship
Truck and coach technician
Certificate of Qualification (310T)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 4
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,500 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$33,000 → $60,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$542k$460k to $624k
Downside: Heavy, dirty and often shift work. You buy your own tools. Diesel and electric drivetrains are both changing fast, so the learning never stops.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Start something
Tutoring and test prep
Registered business
First: Strong marks in the subject and patience. Nothing else.
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$15,000 → $45,000
Startup capital Months to break even $500 1 Still operating after 5 years Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$387k$121k to $445k
Downside: Part-time by nature and hard to scale past yourself unless you hire other tutors and take a cut.
◐ Partly verified
Straight to work
Warehouse and logistics
Employer training; forklift licence in a week
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 0
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$0 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$35,900 → $42,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$407k$346k to $468k
Downside: Physically repetitive, and the most exposed to automation. Advancement means moving into supervision or logistics coordination.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Apprenticeship
Welder
Certificate of Qualification (456A)
Earning from month one 10 yrs
First real paycheque Years to finish
About a month 3
Cost (tuition + fees) Typical debt if you borrow*
$1,500 $0
Earnings, first years → year 5
$41,000 → $55,000
Demand in Ontario Net by year 10 (typical)
$519k$441k to $598k
Downside: Fumes, heat and eye strain; wages vary hugely by sector. Pipeline and shipyard pay is high but means travel.
✓ Verified 2026-10-26
Three Routes