Ford faces a persistent problem in the United States: the brand’s dealers currently have 5,000 open mechanic vacancies and are finding it difficult to attract qualified professionals.
According to The Wall Street Journal, a newspaper specializing in economics and business, the company’s CEO, Jim Farley, warned about the situation in November during a podcast, noting that some workshops are fully equipped but without anyone to work in them.
Demanding profession and high initial investment
The missing positions can pay up to 120 thousand dollars (111,600 euros) per year, but require at least five years of specialized training. According to the same newspaper, only a small proportion of mechanics remain in the profession long enough to reach this salary level.
The work is physically demanding and the initial investment is high, as technicians need to purchase expensive tools, while the starting salary is not always attractive. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that, in 2024, the average salary for a mechanic or dealership technician was $58,580 (54,500 euros).
Ted Hummel, one of Ford’s highest-ranking technicians, with an income of around $160,000 (48,800 euros last year), described the journey as long and demanding. Hummel attended a two-year technical course in automotive technology, costing around $30,000 (27,900 euros). Despite the promises of high salaries, the beginning of his career proved difficult.
His first job came at an exhaust repair shop in 2007, with a salary of less than 10 dollars (9.3 euros) per hour, before joining Ford in 2012. Reaching a six-figure salary required years of experience, certifications and own investment in equipment, culminating in 2022 with his first year above 100 thousand dollars (93,000 euros), at the age of 36.
One of the factors that make the profession so profitable for those who achieve excellence is the production-based payment system, known as flat rate, in which technicians receive a pre-defined amount for each service, regardless of the time spent.
As Rich Klaben, president of the Klaben Auto Group, owner of Ford dealerships, explains, this model allows the fastest and most productive workers to be rewarded, ensuring that productivity translates into remuneration.
Costs for consumers and salary challenges
The shortage of mechanics also impacts customers. According to the same source, car maintenance and repair costs increased faster than inflation, with growth of 6.9% in November compared to the previous year.
Between 2014 and 2024, repair prices rose 59%, while mechanic wages grew just 34%. Ford has sought to combat the shortage of professionals through 33 training centers in the US and offering scholarships for tuition and tool purchases.
Still, only senior technicians, like Hummel, reach an average of 67 thousand dollars (62,300 euros) after five years, with only those at the peak of their career reaching 120 thousand dollars (111,600 euros) or more, according to .
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