Ground Transportation at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College

Minden, LA · Public · Certificate

a smaller institution with 837 students in Minden, LA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,514 place Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College below the $41,480 national median for Ground Transportation — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 102.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Ground Transportation carry above-average AI exposure (14% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

A #47 ranking among 96 Ground Transportation programs places Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $24,514-to-$53,557 earnings arc over five years reflects a 118% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 14 apprenticeship pathways connected to Ground Transportation reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
72
Score
72
High End
Earnings $24,514/yr (-41% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (647,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$430K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
104.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
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.

Program Tuition
$4,109
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,557
118% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Ground Transportation careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering skilled trades.

Read the full Ground Transportation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Ground Transportation Overview

Ground Transportation at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College's Ground Transportation program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College's Ground Transportation graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Is Ground Transportation from Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College a future-proof career choice?
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.
Can you still earn well with Ground Transportation from Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Ground Transportation?
Yes — 14 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Ground Transportation career paths, including Asphalt Paving Machine Operator (Alt. Title: Concrete And Asphalt Equip Op). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College.
What's the job market like for Ground Transportation from Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College?
The very large job market (647,900 annual openings) works in favor of Ground Transportation graduates. The national outlook is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →