Ground Transportation at Central Lakes College-Brainerd
a compact campus enrolling 1,486 students in Brainerd, MN.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $64,164 put Central Lakes College-Brainerd's Ground Transportation program 55% above the national median of $41,480 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
The 109.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.
With only 14% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 2%. Career paths for Ground Transportation are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.
With first-year pay of $64,164 far exceeding the $10,952 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #4 out of 96 programs, Central Lakes College-Brainerd's Ground Transportation program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
Earnings growth is modest: $64,164 to $67,690 over five years (5% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
With 14 registered apprenticeships mapped to Ground Transportation, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Ground Transportation graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway and streetcar operators | $84,830 | +3.4% | 59% |
| Locomotive engineers | $77,400 | +0.7% | 71% |
| Railroad conductors and yardmasters | $74,080 | +1.1% | 72% |
Ground Transportation Career Guide
Ground Transportation opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.