General
Transportation Sciences And Technologies
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Transportation Sciences And Technologies.
Entry Level Salary
$45,020
Median Salary
$112,550
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
61.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,502,000
Entry (Early)
$45,020
Median (Prime)
$112,550
High (Prime)
$118,178
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-49k
+506k
+551k
$25k / yr
-139k
+416k
+461k
$50k / yr
-229k
+326k
+371k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
24
24
$25k / yr
Never
28
27
$50k / yr
Never
31
30
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-128%
383%
424%
$50k / yr
-106%
150%
171%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate20.1%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
26.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,779
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$146,315|$198,100
openings
18,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.3%
Management occupations
5.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,793
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$123,888|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Air traffic controllers and airfield operations specialists
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,779
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$124,950|$98,920
openings
3,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.5%
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,704
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,506|$78,680
openings
11,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
General and operations managers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$95,795|$102,950
openings
308,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$18,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,994|$49,550
openings
409,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.5%
Customer service representatives
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$29,713
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$36,016|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
Software developers
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$83,300
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$119,168|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Top executives
1.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$127,428
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$165,184|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Ship and boat captains and operators
1.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$100,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$82,400
openings
4,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.5%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| air transportation. | Undergrad Certificate | 29 | $41,061 - $41,061 |
| air transportation. | Associate's Degree | 81 | $50,507 - $109,489 |
| air transportation. | Bachelor's Degree | 96 | $49,222 - $106,001 |
| air transportation. | Master's Degree | 14 | $69,589 - $124,835 |
| ground transportation. | Undergrad Certificate | 200 | $21,740 - $95,899 |
| ground transportation. | Associate's Degree | 8 | $62,389 - $72,286 |
| ground transportation. | Graduate Certificate | 1 | $58,353 - $58,353 |
| marine transportation. | Undergrad Certificate | 11 | $49,951 - $56,907 |
| marine transportation. | Associate's Degree | 8 | Data N/A |
| marine transportation. | Bachelor's Degree | 7 | $103,417 - $136,748 |
| maritime studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 2 | $57,878 - $57,878 |
| transportation and materials moving, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 1 | Data N/A |