Related: Attract, Grow, and Retain Young Heavy-Duty Truck Technicians
ATRI: Trucking's Technician Shortage is Getting Worse
A new ATRI report reveals most diesel technicians enter the workforce without formal training, leaving shops to spend thousands on preparation. The findings outline key barriers, training gaps, and retention risks for fleets.
August 7, 2025
ATRI’s latest report highlights training gaps and retention challenges as fleets face a growing shortage of qualified diesel technicians.
Photo: HDT
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The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released a new report examining the causes and potential solutions for the shortage of qualified diesel technicians. Findings show that 65.5% of shops were understaffed in 2025, with nearly one in five positions unfilled.
Training and Qualification Challenges
Most diesel technicians (61.8%) enter the field without formal training. Shops report an average of 357 training hours and $8,211 in trainee wages are needed to bring these workers up to speed. Even among graduates of formal programs, more than 30% were rated unqualified in 20 core skill areas.
ATRI found training effectiveness varied significantly by skill area.
Impact of Additional Training Hours on Technician Qualification
| Core Skill Area | Median Training Hours | Improvement in Qualification (%) | Improvement per Hour (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cab – Hardware | 5.0 | 166% | 33% |
| Diesel Engines – Cooling System | 7.5 | 205% | 27% |
| Electronic Systems – Instrument Cluster and Driver Information Systems | 7.5 | 191% | 25% |
| Hydraulics – Basic Inspection | 5.0 | 123% | 25% |
| Diesel Engines – Air Induction and Exhaust Systems | 12.5 | 232% | 19% |
| Electronic Systems – Lighting Systems | 10.0 | 170% | 17% |
| Diesel Engines – Lubrication Systems | 10.0 | 170% | 17% |
| HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling Systems | 12.5 | 189% | 15% |
| Diesel Engines – Fuel System | 20.0 | 294% | 15% |
| Brakes – Dynamic Brake Systems, ABS, ATC, and ESC | 10.0 | 146% | 15% |
| Cab – Safety Equipment | 7.5 | 106% | 14% |
| HVAC – Refrigeration System Components | 12.5 | 171% | 14% |
| Diesel Engines – Engine Block, Cylinder Head, and Valve Train | 27.5 | 276% | 10% |
| Suspension and Steering | 20.0 | 178% | 9% |
| Drive Train | 27.5 | 188% | 7% |
| Brakes – Air Brake, Air Supply and Service Systems | 30.0 | 200% | 7% |
| Tires – Wheels, and Wheel Ends | 20.0 | 123% | 6% |
| Brakes – Foundation Brake System | 30.0 | 128% | 4% |
| Electronic Systems – Battery, Starting, and Charging System | 35.0 | 147% | 4% |
| Soft Skills – Customer Service, Communication, Task Management | 25.0 | 89% | 4% |
These findings highlight both the benefits of targeted training and the need to update curricula in less impactful skill areas.
Barriers to Entry
When starting their careers, technicians reported the following primary barriers:
| Barrier | Percentage Reporting |
|---|---|
| High cost of tools | 29.0% |
| Lack of prior technical knowledge | 28.0% |
| Insufficient pay | 16.1% |
| Poor shop mentorship | 10.8% |
| Restrictive shift/hours | 6.5% |
| New digital/electronic technology | 5.4% |
| Low confidence | 4.3% |
While pay and schedules remain major incentives, technicians also ranked more interesting work and greater variety of work as important factors for staying in the industry.
Industry Distribution of Technicians
The table below from ATRI shows how diesel technicians are distributed across U.S. industries:
| Industry | Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | Total by Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truck Transportation | 57,300 | 70 | 2,480 | 59,850 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 35,910 | 25,790 | 48,760 | 110,460 |
| Repair and Maintenance | 33,660 | 1,600 | 9,720 | 44,980 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government | 30,920 | 0 | 14,900 | 45,820 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | 14,830 | 60 | 20,810 | 35,700 |
| Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation | 12,620 | 0 | 0 | 12,620 |
| Educational Services | 10,510 | 250 | 280 | 11,040 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 3,170 | 90 | 20,260 | 23,520 |
| Support Activities for Agriculture & Forestry | 210 | 3,160 | 150 | 3,520 |
Retention Concerns
The report found that 44% of diesel technicians are considering leaving for other industries, particularly automotive and agriculture. Dissatisfaction with pay, management, and lack of work variety were significant factors influencing these decisions.
Industry Response
“With a lack of qualified techs and stiff competition from other industries, retaining entry-level technicians has become one of our biggest challenges,” said Robert Braswell, executive director of ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council. “This report identifies where training can be improved and how we can build on the industry’s strengths.”
The full ATRI report is available online here.
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