If you’ve recently needed to take your vehicle in for a repair appointment or have noticed a higher cost of labor, you wouldn’t be the first. The automotive industry is facing a severe shortage of new skilled technicians. This crisis threatens to reshape how quickly cars can be fixed and how much you should expect to pay. While this shortage has slowly been building for years, the ripple effects are only now beginning to reach everyone who owns a car. From aging demographics, industry perception, labor difficulty, and more, explore the key factors slowing entry into the mechanic and repair technician field.

What’s Behind the New Technician Shortage?

The roots of the auto mechanic shortage date back many years, as it has been a problem that has been building over time. One of the biggest drivers of the problem is demographics. Many experienced technicians are nearing retirement age, but there are not enough young people stepping in to replace them. To add perspective, enrollment in automotive technician programs has fallen by around 34% between 2012 and 2021, as reported in a study conducted. The four years since that time have not improved either, leaving a thin pipeline of new talent.

Additionally, the perception of the industry and work environment also plays a significant role. For many high school graduates, the automotive trade is seen as low-prestige work as compared to white-collar jobs, though this couldn’t be further from the truth. Parents, counselors, and social pressure alike steer students towards four-year degrees, where trade occupations are focused on less. Despite the fact that a career path as a technician can bring steady pay, technical complexity, and stability, it is often overlooked.

Modern vehicles are also made with highly computerized and advanced equipment. Whether it’s sensors, electric systems, software-based diagnostics, or something else under the hood, repairing a modern vehicle comes with a slew of complexities that older vehicles didn’t have. This requires technicians who partake in ongoing education in order to stay current.

The final issue that has likely been driving the shortage is retention itself. As of data gathered once 2024 was finished, the median annual salary of an auto technician was just shy of $50,000. In an economy where the cost of living has been outpacing salary growth, this, along with limited advancement opportunities, has caused many to leave the field despite its stability.

How It Affects Automotive Repair Times and Costs

The ongoing technician shortage has started to become a bottleneck for the entire service chain, whether it’s local garages or a dealership itself. With fewer skilled hands available to help, repair backlogs have steadily grown. As shops need to push back timelines for repairs, the unprecedented wait means customers have issues getting back on the road.

On top of this, costs themselves are up as every technician vacancy can cost a shop thousands in lost parts or service revenue. This shortfall often gets passed along to consumers through higher labor costs or by prioritizing profitable work. The cost of motor vehicle repairs rose 7.9% from 2024 to 2025 alone, which goes to show how severe the impact is already.

To make matters worse, consumers are also seeing fewer choices on average. Smaller shops may decline complex work that requires specialized training or expensive tools if they don’t have the right technicians for the job, which may force you to head to a larger or busier service center for the work. From the technician’s perspective, turnover and burnout can create quality issues, too, as rushing work without proper support can cause the risk of repeat repairs.

What Shops Are Doing to Attract New Talent

This threat to shops isn’t an unknown issue. Auto repair shops are actively rethinking how they recruit and retain their technicians from the next generation. One promising strategy many shops have been utilizing includes partnering with trade schools and technical colleges to build an entry-level talent pipeline. Various apprenticeship programs and scholarship programs are designed to give students hands-on experience and clear career options. By making the choice to invest early, shops can build relationships with their prospective employees before they even cross the graduation stage.

Training has also become a top priority. With automotive technology evolving so quickly, continuing education is no longer optional. Shops that make the decision to send technicians to manufacturer training sessions, certification programs, or EV diagnostic courses not only will keep their teams competitive but also boost morale and retention.

The above isn’t enough, though. To drive real change in the field, improving compensation and work culture is another major step that shops need to take. Modern equipment, clean uniforms, and even staff appreciation events can all help combat the perception that technician work is an undervalued field.

Supporting the Next Generation of Automotive Technicians

Beyond what individual repair shops can do, industry support plays a critical role in rebuilding the technician pipeline. Endurance Warranty Services is committed to helping strengthen the future of automotive service by partnering with nonprofit organizations focused on education, training, and awareness. Through its work with the ASE Education Foundation, Endurance Cares supports programs that connect students with accredited automotive training pathways and hands-on learning opportunities that reflect the realities of today’s increasingly complex vehicles.

Endurance Cares also collaborates with organizations like the Museum of American Speed to help introduce younger generations to STEM/STEAM concepts through automotive-focused education. By supporting initiatives that blend engineering, technology, and hands-on problem-solving, these partnerships aim to shift perceptions of the auto mechanic field—from outdated stereotypes to a modern, skilled career path with long-term opportunity. Encouraging early exposure and education is a key step in ensuring the industry has the trained technicians it will need in the years ahead.

How Drivers Can Plan Ahead to Avoid Delays

While there’s nothing you as an individual driver can do to fix the labor shortage, there are ways you can navigate it more smoothly. The simplest strategy is to plan ahead. Routine maintenance, including oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections, should all be scheduled early. This will help ensure no issues get to the point that a dashboard warning light forces you into a repair shop for a major issue.

Ensuring you choose the right shop will also make a big difference. Warranty-approved and manufacturer-certified service centers often have better access to training and diagnostic tools, meaning they can handle complex jobs more efficiently. You shouldn’t hesitate to ask about wait times when booking, either, as transparency can save you weeks of frustration.

Another Proactive Step to Keep Your Vehicle Running: An Extended Warranty

The shortage of skilled automotive technicians isn’t only a problem for shop owners—it’s a challenge that affects every driver on the road. As vehicles become increasingly advanced, the need for highly trained professionals will continue to grow. Despite this, too few people are entering or staying in the trade, but there may be light on the horizon with repair shops offering better pay, a strong culture, and improved training. Still, recovery will take time.

In the meantime, you can aim to reduce your expenses at the repair shop as much as possible. One way to go about this is to invest in a vehicle service contract, also known as an extended car warranty, that can offer financial reimbursement for covered mechanical-defect-related repairs. At Endurance Warranty, there is a range of service plans to choose from, ranging from high-level stated protection, covering only the most important components (Secure Plus plan), to one that is closest to the manufacturer’s warranty offered on a new car (our Supreme plan).

As an added bonus, all Endurance plans come with a year of Elite Benefits, offering additional perks including up to $500 in collision coverage and windshield repair, key fob replacement, and reimbursements or repairs for tire damage.*

Contact an Endurance representative at (800) 253-8203 to determine which plan may be right for you, or request a FREE email quote. You can also shop online to see your plan recommendation and pricing right away.