CDL Schools in Iowa (Top Programs Listed)

CDL Schools in Iowa

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!

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:
$37K
$42K
$49K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
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, IA390$50,440$24.25$63,940$36,310
Cedar Rapids, IA4,890$54,460$26.18$71,950$38,270
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL2,670$53,870$25.9$73,920$36,450
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA7,970$57,310$27.55$81,420$39,690
Dubuque, IA1,430$55,060$26.47$78,170$37,950
Iowa City, IA2,310$55,880$26.87$78,080$37,800
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD4,060$56,590$27.21$79,440$37,240
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA1,660$54,700$26.3$81,540$37,750
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, OCC Code 53-3032, BLS.
* 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.

USA CDL Schools by State


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