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If you live in Iowa and want to start your career in a field that is in-demand, diesel technology might be the right choice!
Article Table of Contents
Getting trained
You can’t get started working as a diesel mechanic without proper training and Iowa has a good selection of schools to choose from.
The tuition is not high at all, but you do have the option to apply for a scholarship.
The Iowa Motor Truck Association is one of the institutions offering a variety of grants to those qualifying.
If money is not a problem for you, perhaps you will consider the duration of the program before choosing your training center.
You should be aware that each field of study may have different career options and a variety of programs to choose from.
This means that the programs will have a different length in terms of time, and even if 2 schools have the same program name it doesn’t mean you’ll learn the same thing.
You should know that in about 2 years’ time you can earn an Associates’ diploma in diesel technology.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| 1-Day CDL | 2121 Adventureland Drive, Altoona, IA 50009, USA |
| Des Moines Area Community College | 2081 NE 54th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA |
| Dubuque Area Professional Driving School LLC | 10633 Diesel Dr, Dubuque, IA 52001 |
| Eastern Iowa Community Colleges | 306 West River Drive, Davenport, IA, United States |
| Hawkeye Community College - Cedar Falls Center | 5330 Nordic Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 |
| Indian Hills Community College | 525 Grandview Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 |
| Iowa Central Community College | One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 |
| Kirkwood Community College | 6301 Kirkwood Blvd, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 |
| North Iowa Area Community College | 500 College Dr, Mason City, IA 50401 |
| Scott Community College | 500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA |
| Southeastern Community College | 1500 West Agency Road, West Burlington, IA 52655 |
| Vatterott College | 7000 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | 4647 Stone Ave, Sioux City, IA 51102 |
If you don’t want to spend 2 years in school, and wan to start working faster, consider becoming a truck driver as this program is much shorter.
Evening or night classes are also available at some schools, and to get you started, have a look at Indian Hills Community College.
Their programs last for 216 hours, with both classroom education and actual driving instruction sessions.
All in all, you could be getting your new driving license in as short as 6 weeks.
License Type
There are 3 main classes of license from which you can choose: A, B, and C.
The weight and configuration of the vehicle are what determines which license class you need.
You should know that if you hold the Class A license, you can also drive vehicles from classes B, C, and D.
Class D is for private passenger cars.
Remember that you’ll have to be at least 18 years old in order to get any of these licenses.
Additionally, you’ll have to prove your legal status in the US and identity as well.
Income
Drivers in Iowa earn on average about $42,323 per year, while those in the top 10% earn about $49,050 per year.
They earn a little less than drivers across the United States who make on average $44,225 per year, while those at the top 10% make around $51,254 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $42,783 |
| Cedar Rapids | $41,961 |
| Davenport | $41,770 |
| Sioux City | $36,795 |
| Iowa City | $41,616 |
| Waterloo | $43,285 |
| Ames | $42,385 |
| West Des Moines | $42,783 |
| Ankeny | $42,783 |
| Council Bluffs | $41,812 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 390 | $50,440 | $24.25 | $63,940 | $36,310 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 4,890 | $54,460 | $26.18 | $71,950 | $38,270 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 2,670 | $53,870 | $25.9 | $73,920 | $36,450 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 7,970 | $57,310 | $27.55 | $81,420 | $39,690 |
| Dubuque, IA | 1,430 | $55,060 | $26.47 | $78,170 | $37,950 |
| Iowa City, IA | 2,310 | $55,880 | $26.87 | $78,080 | $37,800 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 4,060 | $56,590 | $27.21 | $79,440 | $37,240 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 1,660 | $54,700 | $26.3 | $81,540 | $37,750 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
It is expected that the job market in this field will increase by 11% in Iowa.
Final Thoughts
Once you earn your new certifications, you have several settings in which you can find employment.
These options include trucking companies, repair shops, schools, and even leasing centers.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State