Three Routes Start
College diploma

Computer programming

Diploma, e.g. BCIT Computer Systems Technology

24 of 30 verified for BC; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify
Trades go through SkilledTradesBC (4 levels, Youth Train in Trades lets you start Level 1 in high school). Numbers from WorkBC and Job Bank BC, BCIT, VCC and UBC.
Years to credential2
First real paycheque~2 years
Time in a classroom70%
Total cost$16,750
Typical debt after$10,000
Demand in BCHigh

The first ten years

schoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$662k2 years at $0 while in school, then $59,400 rising to $91,500 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$17ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$646kthe number on the card
Low to high$544k to $747kpay 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 British Columbia median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isCoding, testing, working in small teams. Co-op terms matter enormously.
What actually stops peopleGetting the first job; entry-level tech hiring has tightened since 2023.
The downsideEmployers increasingly expect a degree or a strong portfolio. AI tools are changing what junior developers do.
If you're the parentCheaper and faster than a CS degree, with decent pay if your child builds real projects. The market is crowded at the bottom right now.
Local opportunities in British Columbia

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How to enter

What you need
  • Courses: Advanced Functions
  • Average around 65+
Deadlines in BC
  • Apply directly to the college from October; competitive programs fill by February
  • StudentAid BC in spring

Next steps in British Columbia

  1. 1
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In British ColumbiaBC rates this High Opportunity (2,550 openings), unlike Ontario's Limited. Entry-level hiring is still competitive.
www.workbc.ca · www.bcit.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for BC Sources: WorkBC NOC 21230 (Job Bank BC wages 2025); BC Labour Market Outlook 2025 High Opportunity list; BCIT CST diploma page

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