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

Plumber

Q: How much does a plumber earn in Ontario?

Roughly $39,000 in the first years and $63,000 by year five (Ontario median, before tax). Verified against Job Bank NOC 72300, wages Nov 2025 ($20–32.50–50.38/hr), outlook 2025–27 Moderate; 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 (306A)

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 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: $579k, low to high $491k to $666k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$580k	$39,000 rising to $63,000 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$2k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$579k	the number on the card
Low to high	$491k to $666k	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 repairing water, drainage and gas systems in homes and commercial buildings; paid on-the-job hours plus in-school blocks.

What actually stops peopleSponsoring employer, same as most construction trades.

The downsidePhysically hard on knees and back over decades. Emergency and weekend calls are part of the job.

If you're the parentSteady demand, no debt, and a clear path to running your own business later. It is physical work and not glamorous, which is exactly why it pays well.

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 72300, wages Nov 2025 ($20–32.50–50.38/hr), outlook 2025–27 Moderate; 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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