Across the automotive and diesel industries, technicians are being more vocal than ever about what they want, what they’re experiencing, and why many are reconsidering their future in the field. From compensation and career growth to work-life balance and shop culture, the data tells a clear story: expectations are rising, and too many shops aren’t keeping up.
In this article, we break down key insights from the 2026 Voice of Technician Report—based on feedback from more than 5,500 industry professionals—to show what’s driving recruiting challenges, where satisfaction is falling short, and what it all means for the future of the workforce.
If you want to attract and retain top technicians, understanding this data isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Technician Recruiting
- 41% of technicians prefer an hourly or salary pay structure with a production bonus.
- 38% of technicians do not want to work weekends.
- 51% of technicians are willing to commute a maximum of 30-59 minutes each way to work.
- 90% of technicians say that paid vacation is a must-have when looking at potential employers.
- 46% of technicians say having a well-documented career path is a must-have when looking at potential employers—a 10% increase from last year.
Technician Satisfaction
- Only 56% of technicians think their shop offers fair compensation.
- Less than half of technicians (49%) are satisfied with their current benefits.
- Only 27% of technicians say their shop offers a clear career path.
- Less than one-quarter (23%) of technicians receive consistent performance reviews.
- Less than half of technicians (45%) feel valued and respected by management.
- Only 33% of technicians think shop management communicates well.
- 75% of technicians say their shop does not do a good job of training new technicians and compensating mentors.
Automotive & Diesel Industry Outlook
- Only 44% of technicians would recommend their current shop to a friend.
- 84% of technicians agree that the most urgent issue that needs to be addressed to fix the technician shortage is higher pay.
- 77% of technicians do not think the industry is improving.
- Nearly one in five technicians (21%) say they will probably leave the industry in the next five years (not due to retirement).
Want to Learn More? Download the 2026 Voice of Technician Report
See what 5,500+ industry professionals are really saying about pay, satisfaction, and the future of the technician workforce.
This article is only a glimpse of what technicians shared with us. Download the full report to see:
- Additional data points around technician satisfaction, industry outlook, and school partnerships
- Breakdowns by industry, role, and shop type
- Year-over-year trends
- Even more analysis
