Technician Pay: Too Low Or Just Right?

[Joe Marconi]

A recent stat from carMD states that car repair costs are up by 10%. The average auto repair job now costs $367.84. With this rise, some question; Has technician wages increased also? This is a very complicated issue and misleading if the details are not properly dissected.

 

The past few years have been a wild economic ride for businesses across the nation. And, not just the auto repair sector. In general, all businesses have seen their costs increase dramatically. For us, car parts cost more to purchase, insurance continues to escalate, workers compensation has gone up, utilities costs have gone up, on and on and on. All these factors add to a higher overall repair bills.

 

Now, what about technician pay? Is there a connection between higher repair bils to the consumer and technician pay? In the short answer; not really. We can debate this issue and compare auto technician pay to other industries, but the fact remains that technician pay is a part of the cost of doing business.

 

Tech pay can only go up, if there are enough profits generated. No company, no matter what the business is, can blinding raise payroll without understanding the true costs to running a business.

 

In other words, to pay a technician a certain rate or raise wages, the company must take into account the profit dollars produced. Until our industry collectively increases what we charge to the consumer, technician wages will reflect what we are able to pay.

 

Whats your take on this? Should tech wages be higher and how do you think we should achieve this?

[phynny]

My goal is to have my master techs making half of the labor. I don't mind making less on the back end in order to have my employees lead good financially stable lives and I believe this will show in quality work and happy employees.

[Tony M]

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