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Technicians Are Demanding More Pay

Joe Marconi
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I am paying the highest ever at $42.5 and my lead is about to get a bump again. Christian brothers is advertising $60 an hour in my area, although looking at Glassdoor reviews, that number is mythical, and the bar is often raised making your goal post to reach that pay constantly moving. I am also curious what others are paying now. As far as how to afford it, simple. Every time my tech gets a raise, the shop gets a raise x2, so if tech rate goes up $2, shop labor rate goes up $4, this covers the extra tax burden with a small raise for the shop also.

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weighit Enthusiast

weighit

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When I had employees I paid them $2.00 more per hour than any of the competition paid their guys. One, I knew they all worked hard for me and deserved what I was able to pay. Two, I didn't want the the competition to try to steal them away from me. I knew what I made every year working for a dealership, and when I opened my shop I knew what I needed to do to attract good help, pay them well and say thanks often.  While I made more, they made more. I suppose by now with the way things have changed they would all be in the mid 30's to low 40's per hour. By the same token, I would be earning mre too.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
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      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

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