Hiring and retaining diesel technicians has never been more competitive. Understanding what technicians actually think about their jobs, their employers, and the industry is key to building a shop where people want to work.
All of the statistics below come from the 2026 Voice of Technician Report. Whether you’re looking to improve retention, sharpen your benefits package, or benchmark your shop against industry norms, this data is a good place to start.
Diesel Technician Job Satisfaction
- 67% of diesel technicians say their shop provides fair compensation.
- 55% of diesel technicians feel valued and respected by management.
- 70% of diesel technicians say their shop provides good benefits.
- Only 38% of diesel technicians think their management communicates well.
- 53% of diesel technicians would recommend their current employer to a friend.
What Diesel Technicians Look For in Employers
- 57% of diesel technicians want to be paid hourly or salary.
- 84% of diesel technicians say that paid vacation is a must-have benefit when evaluating a potential employer.
- 44% of diesel technicians do not want to work weekends.
- 39% of diesel technicians say a well-documented career path is a must-have, while an additional 55% say it is a nice-to-have offering.
Diesel Industry
- 82% of diesel technicians agree that higher pay is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed in the industry.
- Aside from pay, diesel technicians feel it’s most important for shops to pay for tools or provide an adequate tool allowance in order to improve the industry.
- 9% of diesel technicians say they will probably leave the industry in the next five years (for reasons other than retirement).
- 64% of diesel technicians think the industry is not improving.
