"How long does it take to become a cdl truck driver in New Mexico?"

"Most paths into the cdl truck driver field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"What apprenticeships are available for cdl truck drivers in New Mexico?"

"In New Mexico, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in New Mexico

Q: "How much do cdl truck drivers earn in New Mexico?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cdl truck drivers in New Mexico earned a median annual wage of approximately $50,500."

Q: "Do cdl truck drivers need a license in New Mexico?"

"Yes. New Mexico requires state-level licensing or registration for cdl truck drivers, administered by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

Q: "What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in New Mexico?"

"New Mexico currently employs approximately 11,820 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New Mexico employs approximately 11,820 cdl truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,500 ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 237,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a cdl truck driver in New Mexico, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A CDL Truck Driver in New Mexico

How do I become a cdl truck driver in New Mexico? New Mexico requires credentials such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL). The licensing authority is the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in New Mexico? Yes. New Mexico has licensing or registration requirements for cdl truck drivers. The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do cdl truck drivers earn in New Mexico? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in New Mexico is $50,500 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,540 and experienced professionals can earn $65,990 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division
Median wage (New Mexico): $50,500 per year ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in New Mexico

The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division oversees cdl truck driver licensing in New Mexico ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Commercial Drivers License (CDL)	Commercial Drivers Licenses are issued by state departments but are similar from state to state, since the minimum requirements of the licenses and endorsements are set centrally.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: State exam required
Experience: No experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in New Mexico vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Albuquerque	4,210	$55,840	$55,220	$40,040	$71,560
Farmington	960	$51,070	$52,370	$37,700	$63,800
Las Cruces	810	$48,400	$50,060	$37,770	$63,790
Santa Fe	200	$51,120	$54,180	$40,840	$65,700

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Cdl truck drivers in New Mexico

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver employment within New Mexico according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Albuquerque	4,210	$55,840
Farmington	960	$51,070
Las Cruces	810	$48,400
Santa Fe	200	$51,120

Explore cdl truck driver programs in Albuquerque, Farmington, and Las Cruces.

Explore More Trades in New Mexico

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in New Mexico? New Mexico currently employs approximately 11,820 cdl truck drivers ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cdl truck driver in New Mexico with an out-of-state license? Contact the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in New Mexico? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New Mexico.

How much do cdl truck drivers earn in New Mexico compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in New Mexico is $50,500, which is $6,940 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division - Licensing Information: http://www.tax.newmexico.gov/About-Us/Pages/Home.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)