Transportation and Infrastructure Planning: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning equips students with the analytical and strategic frameworks needed to design sustainable, efficient, and equitable systems for moving people and goods. This interdisciplinary field integrates economic, environmental, spatial, and social dimensions to address complex challenges in modern mobility and infrastructure development.
- Economics: Explores the financial principles underlying infrastructure investment, cost-benefit analysis, and funding mechanisms for transportation projects.
- Environmental Analysis: Examines the ecological impacts of transportation systems and evaluates strategies to minimize environmental degradation and promote sustainability.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Applies spatial data technologies to model, visualize, and analyze transportation networks and land-use patterns.
- Logistics: Focuses on the efficient movement and coordination of goods across supply chains, including warehouse management and freight distribution systems.
- Risk Analysis: Assesses vulnerabilities in transportation infrastructure and develops strategies to mitigate disruptions from natural disasters, cyber threats, or system failures.
- Transportation Economics: Investigates pricing models, demand forecasting, and the economic efficiency of different modes of transit and infrastructure development.
- Transportation Evaluation: Uses quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the performance, equity, and long-term impacts of transportation policies and projects.
- Transportation Planning: Involves the systematic design of transportation networks and services to meet current and future mobility needs across regions.
- Transportation Policy: Studies the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of regulations and standards that govern transportation systems at local, regional, and national levels.
- Urban Transportation Planning: Addresses the integration of transit, pedestrian, and cycling infrastructure within dense urban environments to support livability and accessibility.
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Transportation and Infrastructure Planning degrees, including Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers, Urban and Regional Planners and Traffic Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 263,620 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers 11-3071 | $102,010 | $61,200 - $180,590 | 213,000 | $49.05 |
| Urban and Regional Planners 19-3051 | $83,720 | $55,590 - $128,550 | 43,040 | $40.25 |
| Traffic Technicians 53-6041 | $58,480 | $38,060 - $85,810 | 7,580 | $28.12 |
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $66,163 in Louisiana to $136,970 in District of Columbia—a 107% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Colorado, and Delaware. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 263,620 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Transportation and Infrastructure Planning by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 3 institutions offering Transportation and Infrastructure Planning programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Transportation and Infrastructure Planning is found at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (10 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (4 graduates), and Texas Southern University (TSU) (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 18 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Texas Southern University (TSU) |
Master's
|
4 | Houston, Texas | Public | tsu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Transportation and Infrastructure Planning programs
How much can I earn with a Transportation and Infrastructure Planning degree?
Salaries for Transportation and Infrastructure Planning graduates vary by role and location. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers earn a median of $102,010 annually, while Urban and Regional Planners earn around $83,720. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $136,970 compared to $66,163 in Louisiana. Approximately 263,620 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Transportation and Infrastructure Planning programs?
Currently 3 accredited institutions offer Transportation and Infrastructure Planning degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (10 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (4 graduates), and Texas Southern University (TSU) (4 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Transportation and Infrastructure Planning degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers, Urban and Regional Planners, and Traffic Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 263,620 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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