Truck Driver Salary in New Mexico
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in New Mexico. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$53,100
CDL-B Avg
$42,200
Non-CDL Avg
$43,090
Owner-Op Gross
$175,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How New Mexico truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in New Mexico
New Mexico's cost of living is 9% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$53,100
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$58,352
After adjusting for New Mexico's cost of living index of 91, a CDL-A salary of $53,100 provides the same purchasing power as $58,352 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in New Mexico than the raw salary suggests.
Which New Mexico metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the New Mexico average scaled for metro size. Where two metros show the same number it is because they sit in the same population band — we do not hold data fine-grained enough to separate them, and we would rather say so than invent a difference.
Salary by City in New Mexico
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in New Mexico, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $55,224 | 93 | Stable |
| Roswell | $50,976 | 89 | Stable |
Salary Trend in New Mexico
New Mexico trucking wages are moderate, supported by I-40 and I-25 corridor traffic, cross-border freight from Mexico through Santa Teresa, and oil field hauling in the Permian Basin region.
New Mexico vs National Average
| Category | NM | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $53,100 | $59,710 | $-6,610 |
| Cost of Living | 91 | 100 | -9 |
| Adjusted Pay | $58,352 | $59,710 | $-1,358 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in New Mexico
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in New Mexico, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$49,000 - $69,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$53,000 - $75,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$54,500 - $77,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$55,500 - $78,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$56,000 - $79,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$57,500 - $81,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$58,500 - $83,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$61,500 - $87,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$50,000 - $70,500/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$41,000 - $58,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$46,500 - $65,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$47,000 - $66,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$51,000 - $72,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$52,000 - $73,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$49,000 - $69,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$40,000 - $56,500/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in New Mexico
What do truck drivers earn in New Mexico?
New Mexico CDL-A drivers average $53,100 per year. Albuquerque drivers earn the most at the crossroads of I-40 and I-25, the state's primary freight corridors.
Is cross-border trucking important in New Mexico?
Yes, the Santa Teresa port of entry near Las Cruces is growing rapidly as an alternative to congested El Paso crossings. Cross-border drivers with proper credentials earn premium rates.
What unique freight opportunities exist in New Mexico?
Oil field hauling in the southeastern Permian Basin area, chile and pecan agricultural loads, military logistics for White Sands and Kirtland AFB, and cross-border manufacturing supply chain freight from Mexico.
What does New Mexico pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in New Mexico
- Entry Level driver pay in New Mexico
- Mid Level driver pay in New Mexico
- Experienced driver pay in New Mexico
- Veteran driver pay in New Mexico