There are over 292 million vehicles on U.S. roads that require service, maintenance and repair. Without this service, there are many risks:

• Americans not being able to commute to work


• The inability to complete vital deliveries like food transported by semi trucks


• Or emergency services such as fire, ambulance or police could be compromised

1. Over 600,000 new entrant automotive techs are needed between 2022 and 2026. And as demand grows, wages are increasing too. Technicians’ average hourly wages recovered in 2021, increasing 6.3% and exceeding $20 per hour.

2. More than 113,000 new entrant collision techs are also needed between 2022 and 2026. It’s not just replacing sheet metal. Collision technicians are experiencing a swell in demand thanks to the need for skilled recalibration of the technology systems in newer model cars – parking sensors, lane-assist sensors and ADAS components are all part of this field now. This demand will certainly be reflected in the wages of this technician, which we predict will be a highly-desired career as more technologically-driven vehicles are added to our roadways.

3. Nearly 177,000 new entrant diesel techs are needed between 2022 and 2026. Big rigs need skilled techs too, now more than ever. For techs entering the diesel world, expect demand to be high. As inflation and supply chain woes continue, demand for freight transport continues to rise. It is more costly and inconvenient that ever to rely on ocean and air shipping to transport goods, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is increasing on our roadways. More demand can mean higher wages.

4. 42.6% of households surveyed said they would be extremely likely to recommend the trades as a career path if their child or a family member were considering it. This is up from 2020 when only 39% said they would make that recommendation. We’re making strides in the right direction when it comes to hiring more techs, but we need to continue to increase awareness of these available career paths.

5. When surveyed, 42% of households fully agreed that income-earning opportunities for automotive technicians can be equal to, or greater than, other careers that require a four-year college degree, with younger generations more likely to agree with this statement than older generations.

“Earn more than you could with a four-year college degree”

Sounds like a great campaign for shops looking to hire technicians. Not many career-seeking individuals are informed about the salary opportunities provided by vocations, but are surprised when they learn about the potential.