Median Earnings (1yr)
$34,665
24th percentile
60th percentile in California
Median Debt
$6,650
14% below national median

Analysis

CET-Oxnard's Ground Transportation certificate sits right at California's median for earnings, but that's less impressive than it sounds—the state's programs collectively lag behind the national standard by nearly $7,000 annually. While graduates here start at $34,665 and see modest growth to $38,368 after four years, they're still earning in just the 24th percentile compared to similar programs nationwide. The $6,650 in debt is manageable with a 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio, though even this relatively low borrowing amount ranks in the 69th percentile nationally, suggesting many ground transportation programs require minimal or no debt.

The real question is whether this particular pathway makes sense when transportation careers don't necessarily require a certificate. Starting salaries hover just above $34,000—wages that many entry-level commercial driving or logistics positions offer without formal credentials. The 11% earnings growth over four years is positive but underwhelming given the low starting point.

For parents, this comes down to whether their student needs structured training to enter the field. If your child is motivated and can secure a CDL or transportation job through direct hiring and employer training, that route avoids debt entirely. If they need the structure and job placement support a program provides, CET-Oxnard delivers market-rate California outcomes with debt that won't derail their finances. Just understand they're paying for access and structure rather than earnings that significantly exceed what's available through alternative entry points into transportation careers.

Where CET-Oxnard Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How CET-Oxnard graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
CET-Oxnard$34,665$38,368+11%
Advanced Career Institute$38,651$40,715+5%
CET-San Jose$34,665$38,368+11%
CET-El Centro$34,665$38,368+11%
CET-Colton$34,665$38,368+11%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Ground Transportation certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (14 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
CET-OxnardOxnard$34,665$38,368$6,6500.19
Advanced Career InstituteVisalia$38,651$40,715$6,2010.16
CET-San JoseSan Jose$34,665$38,368$6,6500.19
CET-El CentroEl Centro$34,665$38,368$6,6500.19
CET-ColtonColton$34,665$38,368$6,6500.19
CET-Santa MariaSanta Maria$34,665$38,368$6,6500.19
National Median$41,414$7,7060.19

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with ground transportation graduates

Locomotive Engineers

Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

$62,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Pile Driver Operators

Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.

$57,440/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Logging Equipment Operators

Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers.

$49,540/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Bus Drivers, School

Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.

$48,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.

$48,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At CET-Oxnard, approximately 21% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 172 graduates with reported earnings and 124 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.