Ground Transportation at CET-Soledad

Soledad, CA · Private nonprofit · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 179 in Soledad, CA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $34,665/yr fall 16% below the $41,480 national median for Ground Transportation. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With only 14% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 13%. Career paths for Ground Transportation are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

At $6,650 in median debt against $34,665 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #89 out of 96 programs, CET-Soledad's financial outcomes for Ground Transportation trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $34,665 to $40,705 over five years (17% 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.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
66
Score
67
High End
Earnings $34,665/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (647,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$418K
4.1% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
29 of 29
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$6,650
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,705
17% growth from Year 1

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%
Subway and streetcar operators
$84,830
+3.4% growth 59% AI-proof
Locomotive engineers
$77,400
+0.7% growth 71% AI-proof
Railroad conductors and yardmasters
$74,080
+1.1% growth 72% AI-proof

View all 29 career paths with full salary data →

Ground Transportation Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Ground Transportation — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from CET-Soledad and 95 other schools.

Read the full Ground Transportation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Ground Transportation Overview

Ground Transportation at Other Schools

Other Majors at CET-Soledad

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Ground Transportation at CET-Soledad?
At 66/100, the score looks reasonable — but Ground Transportation is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Will AI replace Ground Transportation jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Ground Transportation work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. CET-Soledad's score of 66/100 reflects this durability.
What's the typical debt for Ground Transportation graduates from CET-Soledad?
Median debt of just $6,650 against $34,665/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can you still earn well with Ground Transportation from CET-Soledad?
Starting salary is one data point. If CET-Soledad's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Ground Transportation?
The DOL recognizes 14 apprenticeship pathways related to Ground Transportation. For students weighing CET-Soledad's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Ground Transportation graduates?
The career paths mapped to Ground Transportation have roughly 647,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →