How long does it take?

About 5 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

HVAC / refrigeration mechanic

Q: How much does a hvac / refrigeration mechanic earn in Ontario?

Roughly $42,000 in the first years and $72,000 by year five (Ontario median, before tax). Verified against Job Bank NOC 72402, wages Nov 2025 ($21–37–58/hr), outlook 2025–27 Good; STO: 9,000 h (8,280 + 720), 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.

Certificate of Qualification (313A)

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

Years to credential5

First real paycheque~a month

Time in a classroom15%

Total cost$1,500

Typical debt after$0

Demand in OntarioHigh

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: $656k, low to high $557k to $755k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$658k	$42,000 rising to $72,000 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$2k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$656k	the number on the card
Low to high	$557k to $755k	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 isInstalling and servicing heating, cooling and refrigeration systems. Increasingly technical as heat pumps and controls become standard.

What actually stops peopleSponsoring employer.

The downsideAttics in July and rooftops in January. Demand is high partly because the work is uncomfortable.

If you're the parentOne of the fastest-growing trades because of electrification. Your child would earn while training and finish debt-free.

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

Email it to yourself or someone who should see it.

✓ Verified 2026-10-26 Sources: Job Bank NOC 72402, wages Nov 2025 ($21–37–58/hr), outlook 2025–27 Good; STO: 9,000 h (8,280 + 720), 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

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