Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in New Mexico
If you’re keen to kickstart your career in the automotive field, New Mexico provides plentiful opportunities for you. You can become an auto technician, a body and glass installer or repairer, or even specialize as a bus/truck/diesel mechanic.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in New Mexico
No licensing requirements apply for auto mechanics in New Mexico. However, most employers prefer to hire technicians with some form of postsecondary training in automotive subjects. You can easily find vocational schools and community colleges that offer certificate or associate’s degree programs in the field.
If you’re seeking to take up an automotive technology program, be prepared to delve into a range of intriguing topics including:
- Engine repair
- Engine performance
- Oil changes
- Drum brakes
- Air conditioning
- Automatic transmission
- Suspension systems
- Steering systems
- Fuel systems
- Brakes
Additionally, you will be required to have a valid driver’s license as well as a high school diploma or GED. Furthermore, some employers might ask for an associate degree in automotive technology.
Auto Mechanic Schools in New Mexico
New Mexico has 5,080 working automotive service technicians and mechanics, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That is a real workforce, and the training programs listed on this page feed directly into it. If you are thinking about a career fixing cars, this page covers every ASE-accredited program in the state, four manufacturer-sponsored programs that pay you while you train, one high-school program, and what the BLS says you can expect to earn at each stage of your career.
What ASE accreditation means
ASE accreditation means the ASE Education Foundation, the recognized quality standard body for automotive training in the US, has reviewed a program’s equipment, curriculum, and instructors and found them to meet national standards. An accredited program is not automatically better than every other option, but it is the benchmark most employers recognize. When you see “ASE-accredited” on this page, it means the program has been reviewed and approved, not just self-described.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs: the highest-value option in New Mexico
Four programs in New Mexico pair college coursework with a paid placement at a franchised dealership and manufacturer-specific certification. These are Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, Toyota T-TEN, and Mopar CAP. Each one is run in partnership with a vehicle brand. You study at the college and work at a dealer at the same time. The dealer pays you during your work rotations. When you finish, you hold both a college credential and certification from that manufacturer. That combination puts you ahead of a graduate from a general certificate program when you apply at a brand dealership.
All 4 manufacturer-sponsored programs available in New Mexico:
| Program | School | City | Accreditation expires | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford ASSET | New Mexico Junior College | Hobbs | May 2025 | nmjc.edu |
| Toyota T-TEN | San Juan College | Farmington | June 2030 | sanjuancollege.edu |
| GM ASEP | San Juan College | Farmington | June 2030 | sanjuancollege.edu |
| Mopar CAP | San Juan College | Farmington | June 2030 | sanjuancollege.edu |
A note on the Ford ASSET accreditation date: the listed expiry is May 2025. Contact New Mexico Junior College directly to confirm the current status of that program before you apply.
All ASE-accredited post-secondary programs in New Mexico
All 10 post-secondary programs in New Mexico with current ASE Education Foundation accreditation are listed below. These are the programs an adult can enroll in now. The four manufacturer-sponsored programs from the section above also appear here because they hold their own ASE accreditation alongside the brand partnership. Community colleges generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though this page carries no cost figures because they change frequently; contact each school directly for current figures.
| School | City | Series | Program | Level | Accreditation expires | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque | Automobile | General | Post-secondary | April 2030 | cnm.edu |
| Clovis Community College | Clovis | Automobile | General | Post-secondary | July 2029 | clovis.edu |
| Dona Ana Community College | Las Cruces | Automobile | General | Post-secondary | June 2028 | dacc.nmsu.edu |
| New Mexico Junior College | Hobbs | Automobile | Ford ASSET | Post-secondary | May 2025 | nmjc.edu |
| Roswell Job Corps Center | Roswell | Automobile | General | Secondary and post-secondary | February 2030 | roswell.jobcorps.gov |
| San Juan College | Farmington | Automobile | Toyota T-TEN | Post-secondary | June 2030 | sanjuancollege.edu |
| San Juan College | Farmington | Automobile | GM ASEP | Post-secondary | June 2030 | sanjuancollege.edu |
| San Juan College | Farmington | Automobile | General | Post-secondary | June 2030 | sanjuancollege.edu |
| San Juan College | Farmington | Automobile | Mopar CAP | Post-secondary | June 2030 | sanjuancollege.edu |
| Santa Fe Community College | Santa Fe | Automobile | General | Post-secondary | February 2028 | sfcc.edu |
Accreditation dates are drawn from the ASE Education Foundation directory. Programs renew on a cycle, so a date in the past or near future does not mean the program has closed. Contact the school to confirm current accreditation status.
High school programs: for students still in secondary school
This section is written for you if you are currently in high school. It does not apply to adult career-changers, who should look at the post-secondary programs above.
All 1 secondary-level ASE-accredited automotive program in New Mexico:
AYES at West Mesa High School, Albuquerque
West Mesa High School in Albuquerque runs an AYES program. AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is a structured pipeline, not a basic shop class. You take automotive coursework that meets ASE curriculum standards, and the program connects you with franchised dealerships before you graduate. That means you can walk out of high school with hands-on dealer experience already on your resume, which puts you ahead of most applicants who come to a dealership with only a certificate and no work history.
The listed accreditation expiry for this program is May 2024. Contact West Mesa High School directly to confirm the program is still running and whether accreditation has been renewed. If it is active, ask your school counselor about getting placed in it for your junior or senior year.
No other high school in New Mexico appears in the current ASE Education Foundation directory. West Mesa is the only one listed.
ASE Certifications
Demonstrating proficiency and expertise in the auto repair industry is a valuable asset, and one way to do this is by achieving certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). To become certified, applicants need only pass one of their examinations or participate in recertification programs. Those who hold ASE certification have proven that they are knowledgeable experts within their trade – an accomplishment which can be renewed every five years either through retaking exams or participating in continuation courses.
There are over 40 ASE certification exams available, some of which include:
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Auto maintenance and light repair certification test
- Engine machinist certification tests
- Parts specialist certification tests
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
- Collision repair and refinish certification tests
- Light truck certification tests
- School bus certification tests
- Transit bus certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
What you can earn in New Mexico: wages by role
The figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data. They cover four distinct roles in the automotive trades in New Mexico. Each role has a different earnings ceiling, and the differences are large enough to matter when you are choosing a training path.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core occupation for most people who complete an automotive technology program. In New Mexico, 5,080 people work in this role. The median annual wage is $47,300, meaning half earn more and half earn less. Pay at the bottom of the range starts around $30,390 at the 10th percentile. Pay at the 25th percentile is $36,500. At the 75th percentile, technicians earn $63,050. The top 10 percent earn $77,850 or more. The gap between the 10th and 90th percentile is about $47,000 per year. That gap reflects experience, ASE certifications, and specialization, not just time on the job.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
If you move into diesel and heavy vehicle work, the pay is higher across the board. New Mexico has 1,740 people employed in this role. The median wage is $55,910, which is more than $8,000 above the median for general automotive technicians. The 25th percentile is $47,560. The 75th percentile is $66,900. The 90th percentile reaches $83,260. If you are interested in this direction, look for programs or certifications that cover diesel systems alongside your automotive coursework.
Automotive body and related repairers
Body repair is a separate trade from mechanical repair. In New Mexico, 810 people work in this role. The median wage is $48,260, which is close to the median for general technicians. The 25th percentile is $38,700. At the 75th percentile, body repairers earn $59,050. The 90th percentile is $78,060. Some technicians cross-train in both mechanical and body work, which broadens the jobs available to them.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is a smaller, more specialized role. New Mexico has 150 people employed here. The median wage is $37,470. Pay at the 25th percentile is $26,710, and the 90th percentile is $44,730. Earnings in this role are lower than the other three. Glass work can be an entry point or a side specialty, but it is not the highest-paying path if earnings growth is your main goal.
How pay progresses over a career
The BLS data shows that automotive careers in New Mexico have a wide spread from entry-level to experienced. A new technician earning near the 10th percentile in the core occupation starts at $30,390. A senior technician or diesel specialist in the 90th percentile earns $83,260. That is a difference of more than $50,000 per year. The path between those two points usually runs through additional ASE certifications, specialization in high-demand systems such as diesel or advanced driver-assistance technology, and time at a well-paying employer. Manufacturer-sponsored programs like GM ASEP, Toyota T-TEN, Mopar CAP, and Ford ASSET give you a faster start because you enter the workforce with brand-specific credentials already in hand.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in New Mexico
Auto mechanics in New Mexico are employed in a variety of settings, from automotive shops and dealerships to government agencies and even some self-owned businesses. Mechanics may specialize in either repairs or maintenance, with job responsibilities ranging from diagnostics to system repair and replacement. Common tasks include inspecting vehicles for damage or malfunction, running tests on engines, changing oil and filters, and performing routine maintenance services like brake replacements.
Overall, the auto mechanic profession offers many attractive benefits for those looking for a career in the automotive industry, such as competitive salaries, flexible work hours and plenty of opportunity for growth.
How to choose a program
If you want the fastest route to a brand dealership career, look at the four manufacturer-sponsored programs first. San Juan College in Farmington runs three of them: Toyota T-TEN, GM ASEP, and Mopar CAP. New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs runs Ford ASSET, though you should verify its current accreditation status before applying.
If you want flexibility to work at any shop, not just a brand dealership, a general ASE-accredited program at a community college gives you that. Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, Clovis Community College, Dona Ana Community College in Las Cruces, and Santa Fe Community College all run accredited general programs. Roswell Job Corps Center is an option if you qualify for Job Corps, which is a federal program for eligible young adults.
If you are still in high school and you are in Albuquerque, ask about the AYES program at West Mesa High School now. Getting dealer exposure before you graduate is a genuine advantage.
Visit each school’s website using the links in the tables above, compare what each program covers, and contact admissions to ask about current enrollment dates and any prerequisites. The next step is yours.
Sources:
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes493023.htm
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm