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If you want a new career and live in New England, the trucking industry can be an option.
The first thing you need to know is that you’ll have to get some training under your belt, but this doesn’t last for too long.
Article Table of Contents
Training for the Trucking Industry
There is at least one school that can get you started as a truck driver or as a diesel mechanic, and that is the White Mountains Community College.
We mention this institution because it offers programs in both of these fields.
Additionally, it has a summer co-op in which students can actually work for local employers and even get paid.
This position can even turn into a full-time job after you graduate.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Commercial Driving School | 70 Pembroke Road Suite 3, Concord, NH 03301 |
| Lakes Region Community College | 379 Belmont Rd, Laconia, NH 03246 |
| White Mountains Community College - Littleton Training Site | 646 Union St Ste 300, Littleton, NH 03561 |
Comparing Trucking Programs
One of the most important aspects of your training program is having access to as much hands-on experience as possible.
At the mentioned college you can get a diploma after studying for one year or an Associates’s degree that is completed in 2 years.
There are 3 specialties offered in the Associates’ degree:
- On-Highway
- Off-Highway
- Parts and Service Management
As mentioned, you can also choose the truck driving program.
With this program, you can get either the Class A or Class B Tractor Trailer driving license.
Additionally, you can upgrade the Class B to Class A license through the CDL Class A Upgrade Program.
Knowledge and skills tests are also provided, so that your preparation is complete for the license exams.
Truck Industry Life
You might first want to know how much you’ll earn in this new career, but your income will be influenced by several factors.
The average yearly income for truck drivers is $44,889 and the most experienced or the ones with more qualifications can expect as much as $52,022 per year.
Here you can find a graph with the average salaries in the largest cities around New Hampshire.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Manchester | $46,702 |
| Nashua | $47,940 |
| Concord | $45,640 |
| Derry | $47,269 |
| Dover | $45,287 |
| Rochester | $45,101 |
| Salem | $46,879 |
| Londonderry | $47,940 |
| Merrimack | $47,940 |
| Hudson | $47,940 |
Regional Salary in New Hampshire
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover-Durham, NH-ME | 500 | $52,270 | $25.13 | $72,640 | $38,640 |
| Manchester, NH | 1,090 | $53,460 | $25.7 | $69,330 | $38,500 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | 760 | $54,280 | $26.1 | $63,490 | $41,290 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
During your training, or even before that, you should learn more about your potential employer.
There are several trucking companies around New Hampshire, such as Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Cardinal Logistics, or Schneider.
Even so, the demand for people holding a license in the trucking field is expected to increase.
It’s foreseen that the need for truck drivers will be 15% higher while the demand for diesel mechanics will see an increase of 11%.
Conclusion
The most important aspect you should know about this field is that you can enter it as young as 18 and as soon as you complete your chosen program.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State