It's no secret that modern cars are more complex than ever. This means that, by default, modern automotive technicians have an array of systems in place to inspect, diagnose, and repair problems when they occur. You might think that hooking up a code scanner would make a mechanic's life easier, but a new study reveals the opposite is true. Mechanics are under a lot of stress. In fact, half of them want to quit the business altogether.
That's the conclusion from a recent Wrenchway survey of technicians working in a variety of fields, including automotive and diesel repair. A small sample of technicians in related fields such as auto body repair was included, and the study received feedback from shop managers as well as students. Wrenchway fielded questions on a variety of topics, from pay to vacation, tool allowances, benefits, commute times, and career paths. The most important question was whether the respondent had considered leaving the industry, and a whopping 49% said so. yes.
Where does the dissatisfaction come from? Research shows that stress over pay is a major factor. Physical and mental demands account for a smaller portion, followed by tooling costs. Sloppy management, lack of respect and benefits are also taken into account. Digging deeper, the study found differences between automotive and diesel-focused technologies. 60% of automotive technicians are considering retiring, while 45% of those in the diesel industry cite pay-related stress as a major factor.
This is where the discussion of hourly wages and flat rate systems begins. This means that many stores pay their employees a fixed rate for each job, no matter how long it takes. This is a problem, according to research, which found that 65% of engineers prefer either a straight hourly scale or an hourly scale with production bonuses. 19% said they supported a flat rate plan with a 40-hour guarantee, and only 10% said they wanted a flat rate plan.
Tool cost and training are also considered. Technicians typically have to pay for their own tools, an investment that can easily exceed $10,000, limiting young engineers who want to start working in the industry. the study states. For established professionals, keeping up with ever-changing vehicle systems requires considerable training. Some stores will pay for the training, while others will not. So this is not an area where you just get a job and work. Technicians are primarily responsible for investing their own cash in equipment and training.
The survey paints a rather bleak picture for an important industry. We did our own fact-checking to see if anecdotal experience supported the data, and unfortunately it did. First, we found that no one At car manufacturer dealerships, whether it's the manager or the mechanic, they'll be happy to talk to us. Those we spoke to spoke off the record about tough times in the industry. The New Jersey-based mechanic, who has been with the company for eight years, admitted he was thinking about leaving his job, citing pay and stress as major factors.
“I'm not hugely against payroll,” he said in an interview. “It reduces stress for the technician and shows that there is some type of trust between the owner and the technician. That's a problem. Many independent shops and dealerships are like a revolving door for technicians. They walk in and they're there.'' After six to eight months, they're gone and they move on to the next job. ”
The technician also said that if mechanics find a more efficient way to make repairs, their flat rate will be reduced, essentially cutting their pay. But it doesn't work the other way around. If something takes time, mechanics will literally work for free.
“They make up these repair times and don’t take into account places like the East Coast where rust is prevalent.”
When it comes to trust and respect, we spoke to a tool dealer in the Southeast who had a similar story. Having visited repair and maintenance shops for 10 years on the job, he says it's all about how management treats its employees.
“I think this survey is pretty accurate. It's 50-50 that people want to quit,” he says. “I have one bad dealership that I go to. A year and a half ago they had 50 technicians, and now they're down to 20. It's hard to find good technicians, and they're Places that respect them will pay them well and let them stay.Dealers charge $320 an hour for labor, but for “simple work” like brakes or oil changes, technicians You basically make $20 an hour. ”
On the business side, I spoke with a small shop owner in southwest Michigan who confirmed that finding good technicians is his biggest challenge.
“I heard from a teacher at a technical college recently that out of a class of 50 students, only three or four actually go on to pursue their field after graduation,” he said. . “So I ended up training young technicians, and I found that a lot of them didn't want to work hard.Of the employees I've found in the last 10 months or so, more than half are leaving. Then I got a completely different job.”
As automotive technology evolves almost daily, this survey and follow-up interviews suggest that the world of auto repair needs to evolve as well. Do you have a mechanic story you'd like to share? Jump into the comments. Let the world know what works and what doesn't in this important industry.
