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Heavy equipment operator training in New Mexico

12 heavy equipment operator programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

4 schools offer these heavy equipment operator programs, and New Mexico has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Heavy equipment operators drive and control the machines that build roads, bridges and buildings. Most have a high school diploma and learn on the job or in a three- or four-year apprenticeship, and many need a commercial driver's license to haul their equipment between jobsites.1 In New Mexico, 6 of the 12 programs take students without a high school diploma, and 8 are taught partly or fully online.

See the 12 programs

How much does heavy equipment operator training cost in New Mexico?

$5,504 to $7,325 is what most heavy equipment operator programs in New Mexico cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 12 programs with a price. All of them: $2,215 to $12,556

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
Length
5 to 16 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in New Mexico may also offer heavy equipment operator training. How these figures are made

Is there free heavy equipment operator training in New Mexico?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

Heavy equipment operator training in Las Vegas, El Paso, Las Cruces and other New Mexico cities

Choosing an area filters the list below. 1 program is online.

All 12 heavy equipment operator programs in New Mexico approved for WIOA funding

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Kind of program
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12 programs

  • Heavy equipment with CDLIn personNo diploma needed

    Combination Course (Professional Truck Driving and Heavy Equipment Operator)

    Mountain View Vocational Institute

    El Paso, TX

    No diploma needed

    Mountain View Vocational Institute, El Paso, TX · Heavy equipment with CDL · In person · No diploma needed

    Classes are outside New Mexico; New Mexico approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$10,000
    Program website, Combination Course (Professional Truck Driving and Heavy Equipment Operator) at Mountain View Vocational Institute
    More details about Combination Course (Professional Truck Driving and Heavy Equipment Operator) at Mountain View Vocational Institute
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    10 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    117
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $10,000

  • Single machine courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Construction/Heavy Equipment Training & Certification - Excavator

    Safety Zone Credentialing

    Sapello

    No diploma needed

    Safety Zone Credentialing, Sapello · Single machine course · Hybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$30,900
    Price if you pay yourself$6,235
    More details about Construction/Heavy Equipment Training & Certification - Excavator at Safety Zone Credentialing
    Finished
    71%
    Working at 6 months
    52%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,726
    Length
    16 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,035
    Students counted
    24
    a year, estimated
    $30,900
    price
    $6,235

  • Single machine courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Construction/ Heavy Equipment Certification - Dozer

    Safety Zone Credentialing

    Sapello

    No diploma needed

    Safety Zone Credentialing, Sapello · Single machine course · Hybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,215
    More details about Construction/ Heavy Equipment Certification - Dozer at Safety Zone Credentialing
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,035
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $2,215

  • Single machine courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Construction/Heavy Equipment Training & Certification - Loader

    Safety Zone Credentialing

    Sapello

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Safety Zone Credentialing, Sapello · Single machine course · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,755
    More details about Construction/Heavy Equipment Training & Certification - Loader at Safety Zone Credentialing
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 13 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,035
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,755

  • Heavy equipment operator courseOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Intro to Heavy Equipment Tutorial

    Southwest Indian Foundation

    Based in Gallup, NM

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southwest Indian Foundation, based in Gallup, NM · Heavy equipment operator course · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,500
    More details about Intro to Heavy Equipment Tutorial at Southwest Indian Foundation
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,000
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $5,500

  • Single machine courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Construction/Heavy Equipment Training & Certification - Dozer

    Safety Zone Credentialing

    Sapello

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Safety Zone Credentialing, Sapello · Single machine course · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,505
    More details about Construction/Heavy Equipment Training & Certification - Dozer at Safety Zone Credentialing
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,535
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $5,505

  • Single machine courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Construction/Heavy Equipment-Training & Certification-Backhoe

    Safety Zone Credentialing

    Sapello

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Safety Zone Credentialing, Sapello · Single machine course · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,505
    More details about Construction/Heavy Equipment-Training & Certification-Backhoe at Safety Zone Credentialing
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,535
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $5,505

  • Single machine courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Construction/Heavy Equipment - Training and Certification - Motor Grader

    Safety Zone Credentialing

    Sapello

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Safety Zone Credentialing, Sapello · Single machine course · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,265
    More details about Construction/Heavy Equipment - Training and Certification - Motor Grader at Safety Zone Credentialing
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,035
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $6,265

  • Single machine courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Construction/Heavy Equipment Training and Certification-Backhoe & Excavator

    Safety Zone Credentialing

    Sapello

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Safety Zone Credentialing, Sapello · Single machine course · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,340
    More details about Construction/Heavy Equipment Training and Certification-Backhoe & Excavator at Safety Zone Credentialing
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,060
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $6,340

  • Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Heavy Equipment Operator I

    Mountain View Vocational Institute

    El Paso, TX

    No diploma needed

    Mountain View Vocational Institute, El Paso, TX · Heavy equipment operator course · In person · No diploma needed

    Classes are outside New Mexico; New Mexico approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$7,325
    Program website, Heavy Equipment Operator I at Mountain View Vocational Institute
    More details about Heavy Equipment Operator I at Mountain View Vocational Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    5 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,538
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $7,325

  • Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Heavy Equipment Operator II

    Mountain View Vocational Institute

    El Paso, TX

    No diploma needed

    Mountain View Vocational Institute, El Paso, TX · Heavy equipment operator course · In person · No diploma needed

    Classes are outside New Mexico; New Mexico approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$7,325
    Program website, Heavy Equipment Operator II at Mountain View Vocational Institute
    More details about Heavy Equipment Operator II at Mountain View Vocational Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    5 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,568
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $7,325

  • Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Heavy Equipment Operator

    Glitz Inc.

    Las Cruces

    No diploma needed

    Glitz Inc., Las Cruces · Heavy equipment operator course · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$12,556
    More details about Heavy Equipment Operator at Glitz Inc.
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    8 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,144
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $12,556

How to pay for heavy equipment operator training in New Mexico

WIOA funding can pay for heavy equipment operator training in New Mexico

Every program on this page is approved for WIOA funding: public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It can pay for training for eligible adults, people who lost their job and young people.2People on public assistance, with a low income or lacking basic skills come first, and veterans have priority.3Your state or local area may limit how much WIOA pays and for how long. If a program costs more, a Pell Grant, a scholarship or severance pay can cover the rest.4

Ask at an American Job Center

Eligibility rules apply, and services vary from state to state. Your local American Job Center can tell you whether you qualify. The Department of Labor's page links to the center finder, or call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).5

Financial aid and grants for heavy equipment operator training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for heavy equipment operator training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Quick facts: Heavy equipment operator training in New Mexico

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
7th of 13
heavy equipment operator programs here, against the typical state's 4
12 vs 4

State comparisons use the same figures as the heavy equipment operator training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Where the New Mexico heavy equipment operator program numbers come from

Which New Mexico heavy equipment operator programs are on this list?

These are the heavy equipment operator programs New Mexico approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what New Mexico offers.

How New Mexico heavy equipment operator program prices are reported

The price is tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported it. "Trained with WIOA funding" on a program counts the people whose training there WIOA paid toward through a training account in program year 2024; the file never gives counts under 3, so a program without the line may still take WIOA students. It does not say how much of the price WIOA covered. Prices under $100 are treated as not reported, because the file holds many blanks entered as $0. Check the current price with the school.

What the graduate results of these programs measure

The figures at the top of this page are the middle program among those that report results: half did better, half did worse. Results describe students who left each program in recent years: the share who finished, the share working in the second quarter after leaving, and the middle earnings of those working in that quarter. States report earnings for that one quarter because they take them from the wage reports employers file every three months. The yearly figure here is that quarter times four, rounded to the nearest $100: an estimate, and an early one, since it is measured about half a year after training. The quarter as reported is under "More details" on each program. Results are withheld for small programs, and they describe past students, so they are no guarantee.

Why do some heavy equipment operator programs say "Not reported"?

Where a school or the state left a field empty, or the Department of Labor withheld it, the page says "Not reported". Nothing here is estimated to fill a gap.

Why the kind of school is left off each program

The file also records whether a school is public, private or nonprofit, but those entries are wrong too often to print next to a school's name, so this page leaves them out.

Other training in New Mexico

Sources for the facts about heavy equipment operator training in New Mexico

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Construction Equipment Operators
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220 and 680.310: career services before training, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List