87% of the 5,500 U.S. auto technicians surveyed by WrenchWay and ASE say proper shop equipment and paid vacation are “must-have” employee benefits

LAS VEGAS – April 14, 2026 –  It’s no secret that there’s a shortage of auto technicians. While there are lots of ideas, scholarships and programs to help raise awareness of the issue, this will take time to resolve. 

In the meantime, employers of auto technicians are competing over a finite pool of talent. While good pay for quality work is an obvious necessity, what else do auto technicians want from employers? 

Fortunately, a new report – the 2026 Voice of the Technician Report – by WrenchWay and ASE has some answers. 

The report is based on a survey of more than 5,500 auto technicians conducted in November and December of 2025. All respondents are based in the U.S. and are fairly senior – 80% report having more than 10 years of experience. 

Nearly eight in 10 respondents (79%) are either technicians or instructors. Another 15% are shop owners and 4% are students aspiring to be technicians. The remaining 2% of respondents were service advisors. 

The “must have” benefits according to auto techs

The survey provides a range of insights as to what’s on the minds of technicians. One question that stood out as useful information focused on the benefits that technicians value the most.

According to the report:

“We asked technicians and students to evaluate a range of workplace factors and indicate whether each was a must-have, nice to have, or not important when considering a potential employer. Overall, the results reinforce a consistent theme: core benefits, workplace conditions, and long- term stability continue to matter most, with several areas gaining importance year over year.”

Among the top five that respondents said were “must have” are as follows:

• 87% said “proper equipment in the shop,”
• 87% said “paid vacation,”
• 73% said “retirement fund,”
• 66% said “paid training,” and
• 50% said “no weekends.”

We’d hasten to add that the annual AAPEX show is a great place to check the box with high-quality training for technicians. The full report contains many more findings, including data about compensation, and is well worth carving out some time to read. You can download a copy (registration required) here: 2026 Voice of the Technician Report.

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AAPEX 2026 will be held from November 3–5, 2026, in Las Vegas, NV at The Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum. See the exhibitor prospectus for exhibiting details. Complimentary passes are available to the media; email: [email protected]. 

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