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If you consider a new career in the trucking industry in New Mexico, your first step is to enroll in a training school.
However, learning a bit more about the field even before that step is where you really have to start.
Article Table of Contents
Training Schools
New Mexico has a good selection of schools for trucking or diesel technology programs.
The tuition is not high, however, the students can obtain scholarships that can help them pay it.
Some of these institutions offer scholarships only for certain programs.
One such example is the San Juan College in Farmington that offers several grants for its diesel technology programs.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Artesia Training Academy LLC | 3205 W Main, Artesia, NM 88210 |
| Central New Mexico Community College | 525 Buena Vista Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
| Doña Ana Community College | 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd., Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
| Eastern New Mexico University | 52 University Blvd., Roswell, NM 88203 |
| Gallup CDL Training | 1707 W. Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301 |
| International Schools | 141 Quinella Rd, Sunland Park, NM 88063 |
| International Schools | 226 S Alameda St, Deming, NM 88030 |
| International Schools – Dona Ana Community College | 2345 E. Nevada Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88001 |
| Jaguar Express Truck Driving School Of Santa Fe | 7034 Camino Rojo, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA |
| Luna Community College | 366 Luna Dr, Las Vegas, NM 87701 |
| Mesilla Valley Training Institute | 3530 W Picacho Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88007 |
| Mesalands Community College | 911 S 10th St, Tucumcari, NM 88401 |
| New Mexico Junior College | 1 Thunderbird Circle, Hobbs, NM 88240 |
| New Mexico Tech | 801 Leroy Pl, Socorro, NM 87801, USA |
| Rocky Mountain Truck Driving School | 2705 Princeton NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
| San Juan College | 4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402 |
| University of New Mexico - Valencia Campus | 280 La Entrada, Los Lunas, NM 87031 |
Comparing the Truck Driving Schools
Choosing where you’ll study is important, but considering the possibility of a scholarship, perhaps the financial aspect is less important.
Many folks want to start their new careers as quickly as they can.
This means that the amount you spend in school will definitely influence your decision.
However, the duration of the program will directly impact the type of job you can get once you graduate.
Some schools have several programs to offer to future students, and this aspect can influence your choice.
For instance, you can study for one year and obtain a diesel technology certificate.
You can even go for an Associates’ degree in the same field if you’re willing to study for 2 years.
If you want to spend less time in school, a truck driving license could be the option you’re looking for.
The duration of the program is mostly influenced by which class license you want to obtain.
For instance, the training for the Class A license lasts between 4 and 8 weeks.
On the other hand, you can spend 40 hours studying and get the Class B license.
Do keep in mind that a Class A license holder can drive Class B vehicles too.
Class B license holders however are not allowed to drive Class A vehicles.
Job Outlook in New Mexico
Knowing how much you’ll earn in the trucking industry is also important when deciding.
The median salary for truck drivers is $40,422 per year, but this may not be your salary if you work in a different sector.
You should know that the demand for truck drivers is expected to rise 19%, while diesel mechanics can expect to find 12% more jobs.
The salary for the truck drivers in the top 10% is, on average, $46,846 per year.
You can have a look at the median salaries in New Mexico’s major cities, in the table below.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $41,582 |
| Las Cruces | $37,591 |
| Rio Rancho | $41,450 |
| Santa Fe | $41,793 |
| Roswell | $38,785 |
| Farmington | $41,024 |
| Clovis | $39,177 |
| Hobbs | $38,153 |
| Alamogordo | $39,449 |
| Carlsbad | $38,785 |
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 4,340 | $49,240 | $23.68 | $61,790 | $34,680 |
| Farmington, NM | 900 | $48,840 | $23.48 | $63,290 | $37,340 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 650 | $45,510 | $21.88 | $58,540 | $32,520 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 270 | $47,520 | $22.85 | $58,250 | $36,980 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
There are many settings waiting for you once you complete your education.
A few examples include dealerships and repair shops for diesel mechanics and trucking companies for truck drivers.
Conclusion
Remember that unlike many other fields, those interested in the trucking industry, they can enter it right after getting their diplomas or license.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State