Car maintenance and repairs are common, sometimes tedious chores that most Americans have to deal with. Yet routine repairs that once inconvenienced you for a weekend now may take a week! Also, fleet vehicles wait patiently for maintenance while repair costs continue to rise. Regardless of where you live, these delays and higher prices have one common denominator: an ever-growing shortage of qualified technicians.
You may not be familiar with the technician shortage phenomenon, but you might have experienced its effects firsthand. This shortage can make scheduling appointments difficult and increase repair wait times. It can also result in higher costs on your final bill.
What is the Technician Shortage?
Before we can address the issue, let’s define what exactly the technician shortage is. The technician shortage is the widening gap between the number of qualified technicians needed and the number entering the workforce. This shortage affects not only the industry but also consumers, fleet maintenance operations, dealerships, automotive repair shops, and trucking companies. We need more skilled technicians to keep vehicles operating safely, effectively, and efficiently.
Several factors, however, are contributing to the technician shortage and need to be addressed.
What’s Causing the Technician Shortage?
According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the automotive industry needs to replace approximately 76,000 technicians annually to meet demand. However, only 39,000 new technicians graduate from programs each year. This brings us to our first major reason for the technician shortage.
Aging Workforce
The Techforce Foundation suggests that 1.2 million new technicians are needed by 2029! This staggering number underscores the need to encourage young people to enter the industry. This is especially important as the college graduate unemployment rate continues to rise.
Related: Trade School vs. College
Not Enough Trade School Graduates
Generation Z is stepping up to the plate and trade school graduates have increased by 7.6% in the last year. However, there is still a whopping 42% demand that is not being met in the industry.
With fewer trade school graduates entering the workforce, businesses face a hiring backlog. As a result, individuals needing repairs may also experience longer wait times.
Advancing Technology
Technology is rapidly improving, while training curricula cannot keep up. Modern technicians have to learn more than just engines and transmissions that traditional gas-powered cars contain.
For example, electric vehicles contain highly sophisticated software systems, advanced driver assistance technology, sensitive sensors, and complex electrical systems. These skills require advanced technical knowledge to repair. Therefore, technicians need continuous learning opportunities that many employers and schools have yet to offer.
Americans Are Holding Onto Their Vehicles Longer
The average age of vehicles is 12.6 years, which can lead to more breakdowns. Thus, consumers are holding on to their vehicles longer as car, maintenance, and insurance prices keep rising.
As a result, older vehicles typically require more repairs and upkeep to stay safe on the roads. This is another factor in longer wait times and higher prices.
Negative Perceptions
For years, the industry has faced negative criticisms due to the rough nature and dirt associated with the job. This narrative is harmful, inaccurate, and detrimental to the field.
Technicians are smart and hardworking professionals. Most importantly, they help keep their community and loved ones safe on the roads.
Young people are rethinking traditional degree paths while mass tech layoffs continue to occur. Now is the time to shift this narrative and focus on what matters most: a stable, meaningful career that can positively impact the economy and the auto industry.
The Hourglass Foundation is actively working to change negative stereotypes about skilled trades. Through scholarships, educational initiatives, and career awareness programs, we help more young people discover impactful and stable careers.
Industry Perception and Workforce Barriers
Low Compensation
A successful career can be built in the automotive technician industry. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024, the median pay for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics was a little over $49,000 and $23.88 per hour.
Additionally, the majority of technicians are required to purchase their own tools when they accept a position. This expense can temporarily cause financial hardship for recruits.
Additionally, according to a report from MOTOR, 18% of owners and managers surveyed said low compensation contributed to the technician shortage. As mentioned earlier, they also suggested that negative perceptions of the industry as a whole contributed to the technician shortage.
These two causes cannot be ignored. Until employers, businesses, and society at large start respecting the hard work and knowledge technicians have, the industry could suffer. This could lead to higher prices and longer wait times at repair shops.
Gender Bias Discourages Women From Entering the Industry
For decades, technician roles have been seen as “men’s work,” which discourages young women from pursuing a skilled trades education.
With only 12.3% of women working in the automotive technician industry, this antiquated narrative is not only backwards, but needs to be rectified in the foreseeable future.
Encouraging more women to enter the workforce could increase trust and garner more diversity in the industry. Furthermore, this could help bridge the technician shortage.
How Does the Technician Shortage Affect Consumers?
Longer wait times
When there are fewer technicians available, scheduling appointments becomes difficult due to a backlog. Fewer technicians on staff lead to increased wait times. If parts are required, especially for older vehicles, ordering them can further prolong the already lengthy delays.
This impacts consumers' daily lives, such as getting to work, taking the kids to school, and running a business.
Higher prices
When there is a labor shortage, this can create competition among businesses. Employers can benefit from attracting new talent, but this may raise service costs for consumers needing repairs. Higher repair bills and longer wait times can frustrate consumers and negatively affect the industry as a whole.
Can impact the longevity of cars
The technician shortage negatively affects the lifespan of vehicles. With a shortage of mechanics to meet demand, services may be rushed, which could negatively affect a vehicle's longevity.
What are the Pain Points for Employers and Fleets?
Difficult to Hire
Baby boomers are retiring while demand for new technician graduates continues to rise. As a result, employers and the Fleet industry face greater obstacles when hiring. If not enough applicants, it makes it difficult to find the right person for the job.
Without a proper technician team, necessary repairs can be delayed. Consequently, fleet vehicles may remain out of rotation longer.
Increased repair expenses.
Yes, not only does the technician shortage affect consumers, but it also places financial burdens on businesses and the fleet industry as a whole. This directly impacts a business's bottom line and can force businesses to increase costs to cover rising repair costs.
Vehicle Downtime and Maintenance Delays
The longer it takes to repair a vehicle, the less revenue is generated. This can disrupt delivery schedules, service timelines, and overall customer satisfaction. Plus, the technician shortage can keep vehicles in service for longer and add additional costs.
Invest in Trade Education
The biggest way the industry can respond is by expanding access to trade school education, apprenticeships, and scholarships. These investments can help build the next generation of technicians.
Organizations like The Hourglass Foundation are committed to supporting students pursuing skilled trades careers through scholarships and workforce development initiatives. We recognize the technician crisis and value the hard work technicians do. Which is why they deserve to start on the right financial footing.
Improve Industry Perception
Luckily, Generation Z is recognizing that 4-year degrees aren’t generating the same outcomes as they once did. Many are more willing to invest in trade school programs. But together, we need to adapt and recognize the importance and skills required to enter the technician workforce. As perceptions change, competition for the best and brightest technicians will increase. This can lead to a more productive and efficient workforce, and hopefully lower prices for consumers.
Competitive salaries and benefits
As with any industry, employees want clear career paths, competitive salaries, and benefits. This can be accomplished with more entry-level positions, apprenticeships, managerial roles, and supervisor positions. This could attract more young workers, knowing there is a clear pathway to reach new goals in their personal careers.
More training opportunities
As more technician programs are being established, it would also be beneficial for employers to offer employees a chance for continuous learning. As technology evolves, ongoing learning and training are essential to keep up with new advancements. For example, as the EV market continues to grow, more technicians need to be knowledgeable about electric vehicles as well as internal combustion engines.
Conclusion
The technician shortage is more than an industry challenge. It’s an economic and workforce issue that affects consumers, businesses, and fleet industries nationwide. Investing in education, workforce development, and industry partnerships can lead to positive outcomes for the skilled trades industry, which benefits both consumers and businesses alike.
The Hourglass Foundation is helping build stronger pathways to skilled trade careers through scholarships and advocacy. In doing so, we support the future technicians entering the workforce. Whether you’re a student hoping to launch your career, an employer seeking skilled talent, or an industry advocate strengthening the workforce pipeline, you have a role to play. Ultimately, supporting skilled trades education today helps establish a strong transportation industry tomorrow.