How long does it take?

About 4 years, with a first real paycheque within about a month.

What does it cost and how much debt is typical?

About $1,500 in tuition and fees, and usually no debt.

Apprenticeship

Automotive service technician

Q: How much does a automotive service technician earn in Ontario?

Roughly $36,500 in the first years and $58,500 by year five (Ontario median, before tax). Verified against Job Bank NOC 72410, wages Nov 2025 ($18.75–30–43.27/hr), outlook 2025–27 Moderate; STO: 7,220 h (6,500 + 720), Grade 12, compulsory, Red Seal. Classroom fee is $10/day province-wide and Level 1 is free for classes starting Jan 2026 (Ontario In-Class Enhancement Fund); cost = later-level fees plus books, PPE and the C of Q exam. Tools are extra.

Certificate of Qualification (310S)

Numbers for 33 of 52 pathways verified, the rest partly · How we verify

Years to credential4

First real paycheque~a month

Time in a classroom15%

Total cost$1,500

Typical debt after$0

Demand in OntarioSteady

The first ten years

earnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearn

Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

Ontario median before tax. Overtime, location and specialisation change this a lot. Net by year 10 after program cost: $538k, low to high $457k to $619k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$539k	$36,500 rising to $58,500 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$2k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$538k	the number on the card
Low to high	$457k to $619k	pay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the Ontario median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isDiagnosing and repairing vehicles; increasingly electronics and EV systems rather than wrenching.

What actually stops peopleDealerships prefer applicants who already have a shop class or co-op.

The downsideMany shops pay by the job, not the hour, so slow weeks hurt. You buy your own tools, often $10–20k over a career.

If you're the parentReliable work everywhere, but lower pay than construction trades and a tool investment. Best for a kid who already loves cars.

Local opportunities in Ontario

Ready to explore this for real?

Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

Check my readiness

How to enter

What you need

No specific courses or average; Grade 12 (or equivalent) and a willingness to show up

Deadlines in Ontario

No application deadline: you need an employer to sponsor you, then register with Skilled Trades Ontario
Grade 11 and 12: ask guidance about OYAP (start the apprenticeship in school, for credit)

Next steps

Save or share this pathway

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✓ Verified 2026-10-26 Sources: Job Bank NOC 72410, wages Nov 2025 ($18.75–30–43.27/hr), outlook 2025–27 Moderate; STO: 7,220 h (6,500 + 720), Grade 12, compulsory, Red Seal. Classroom fee is $10/day province-wide and Level 1 is free for classes starting Jan 2026 (Ontario In-Class Enhancement Fund); cost = later-level fees plus books, PPE and the C of Q exam. Tools are extra

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