Ground Transportation at HDS Truck Driving Institute

Tucson, AZ · Private for-profit · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 342 in Tucson, AZ.

Program Analysis

At $36,576/yr, Ground Transportation graduates from HDS Truck Driving Institute land near the $41,480 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

AI risk is moderate — 14% task exposure — and the 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Ground Transportation graduates.

The median debt load of $7,706 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #80 out of 96 programs, HDS Truck Driving Institute's financial outcomes for Ground Transportation trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,576 to $45,981 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 14 registered apprenticeships mapped to Ground Transportation, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $36,576/yr (-12% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (647,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$480K
5.9% 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
$7,706
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,981
26% 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 HDS Truck Driving Institute and 95 other schools.

Read the full Ground Transportation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Ground Transportation Overview

Ground Transportation at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Ground Transportation at HDS Truck Driving Institute?
A score of 67/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but HDS Truck Driving Institute trails the majority of Ground Transportation programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI replace Ground Transportation jobs?
Ground Transportation rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 14% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
What's the typical debt for Ground Transportation graduates from HDS Truck Driving Institute?
At $7,706 in median debt, Ground Transportation graduates from HDS Truck Driving Institute carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Ground Transportation?
If HDS Truck Driving Institute's tuition gives you pause, consider that 14 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Ground Transportation. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Ground Transportation workers?
Job availability for Ground Transportation is strong — 647,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For HDS Truck Driving Institute graduates specifically, local market conditions in AZ may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →