(Below is an expert from PartsTech’s 2025 State of General Auto Repair Shops in the U.S. report.) PartsTech surveyed 752 shops and spoke with industry experts to bring you a report with key trends, benchmarks, and free resources to help you uplevel your shop in 2025. Download the report to get insights you can use right away to improve your shop, increase revenue, and stay ahead of common industry challenges.

Feeling the impact of the technician shortage

The automotive industry continues to face a shortage of skilled technicians, and shop owners and managers are at the front lines of this challenge. In our survey, 514 shop owners and managers shared their perspectives on the challenges of attracting and retaining technicians, along with strategies that are working for them.

Of the participating shop owners and managers, 46% reported that the shortage of skilled technicians has a moderate to highly significant impact on their shop.

Causes of the technician shortage

Shop owners and managers identified the three primary causes of the technician shortage: competition from other industries (20%), negative perceptions of the profession (18%), and low compensation (18%). These factors reveal significant hurdles for the industry but highlight areas where shops can concentrate on attracting new talent and reshaping perceptions.

Strategies for attracting technicians

We asked shop owners and managers to share the top 3 strategies that have been most effective for attracting technicians to their shop. The majority identified offering competitive wages as the top strategy. Enhanced benefits, flexible work hours, access to premium tools and diagnostics, and opportunities for training and certification were all closely ranked as secondary effective strategies.

Reputation matters

Several technicians who participated in our industry survey stated that the reputation of the shop or owner was one of the top aspects that attracted them to the shop they currently work for. It’s important to understand that your shop’s reputation extends beyond customer reviews and star ratings — it’s also about how your shop is perceived as a workplace. Ask yourself: What would your team say about their experience working for your shop? Building a positive reputation internally is key to drawing in top talent.

Filling the technician pipeline: Apprentice programs

Building a strong pipeline of technicians requires forward-thinking strategies, including technician apprenticeship programs. Currently, most shops lack such programs — representing a major industry opportunity.

Industry insight: The value of apprentice programs

Fostering the next generation of technicians requires proactive involvement across the industry — including inside your shop.

“Partnering with local technical schools and bringing apprentices into your shop is a game-changer for building a strong talent pipeline. Apprentices bring fresh energy and a willingness to learn, while mentorship helps them develop real-world skills that align with your shop’s needs. By investing in apprenticeships, you not only help minimize the development of bad habits (because they are never introduced) but also create a supportive atmosphere that promotes success.”
– Scott Brown, Founder, The Diagnostic Network

Free Resource

Read Scott’s tips on bringing young technicians into your shop.

To learn about tips for retaining technicians and to find more benchmark data and free resources, download PartsTech’s full report: 2025 State of General Auto Repair Shops in the U.S.

Topics covered in the report include:

📍 Shop demographics, size, and location

🚙 Daily car count per bay

💲 Average repair order value, labor rates, and parts profit

👥 Technician & service advisor staffing numbers per bay

⚡ EV servicing trends

⚠️ Industry challenges & solutions

🤝 Technician hiring & retention strategies

🖥️ Shop software usage and trends