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The shortage of qualified technicians not only limits companies’ ability to meet maintenance demands but also compromises the efficiency and safety of transportation. However, it opens the door for those looking to specialize or start a career in the field.
According to data from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the outlook for the heavy-vehicle maintenance and repair sector in the United States is concerning: in 2025, 65.5% of shops were understaffed, and nearly one in five diesel technician positions remained unfilled. The lack of qualified personnel not only affects companies’ capacity to meet maintenance demand but also puts the efficiency and safety of freight and passenger transportation at risk. Still, it represents a new opportunity for those seeking specialization or a technical career.
Training and Qualification: A Persistent Challenge
The study shows that 61.8% of diesel technicians enter the industry without prior formal training. To bring these workers up to an operational level, shops invest an average of 357 training hours and about $8,211 in wages during the training period. However, even among graduates of formal programs, more than 30% fail to meet standards in 20 key skill areas.
ATRI’s analysis also reveals that training effectiveness varies by area of expertise. For example, in the diesel engine cooling system, 7.5 hours of training deliver a 205% improvement in performance scores, while in areas such as battery management and starting systems, even 35 hours of training result in only a 4% increase.
Specialties with the highest performance gains per training hour include:
Cab – Hardware (33% improvement per hour)
Diesel Engines – Cooling System (27% per hour)
Electronic Systems – Driver Instrumentation and Information (25% per hour)
Hydraulics – Basic Inspection (25% per hour)
These findings suggest that focusing training resources on high-impact areas could accelerate the availability of competent technicians, while low-return areas require a review and update of teaching methods.
Barriers to Entering the Trade
Entry-level technicians identify several obstacles when starting their careers. The high cost of tools tops the list, cited by 29% of respondents, followed by lack of prior technical knowledge (28%), uncompetitive starting wages (16.1%), and poor mentoring within the shop (10.8%). Other challenges include restrictive schedules, the increasing complexity of digital/electronic technology, and low self-confidence in technical abilities.
While pay and scheduling flexibility remain key to attracting and retaining talent, technicians also value having more varied and challenging tasks, suggesting that companies could improve retention by offering more attractive career development plans.
Where Diesel Technicians Work
The report also provides a breakdown of where diesel technicians are employed in the U.S. economy. The trucking industry employs 59,850 specialists, followed by durable goods wholesalers (110,460 combined diesel engine, agricultural equipment, and heavy machinery mechanics), repair and maintenance (44,980), and government agencies (45,820).
Other significant sectors include equipment rental and leasing (35,700), heavy and civil engineering construction (23,520), and public ground transportation (12,620).
Career Opportunities in the Most In-Demand Specialties
The shortage of skilled labor creates a window of opportunity for those seeking a stable and well-paid career in the technical field. ATRI’s analysis highlights critical areas with high demand and direct impact on shop productivity:
Diesel engine cooling and fuel systems: essential for performance and efficiency, requiring technicians capable of diagnosing and repairing complex issues.
Electronic systems and instrumentation: growing truck digitalization demands specialists in electronic diagnostics, information displays, and control systems.
Brakes and active safety systems (ABS, ATC, ESC): vital for road safety, with increasing integration of advanced technology.
HVAC and cab climate control: particularly relevant for long-haul transportation and extreme climate regions.
Heavy vehicle suspension and steering: crucial for stability, safety, and driver comfort.
Additionally, the growth of next-generation fleets—more efficient, connected, and equipped with advanced control systems—means that skills in electronics and preventive maintenance are becoming increasingly valuable.
Outlook
The diesel technician shortage is not just an operational challenge for the transportation industry—it is also an opportunity for those seeking stability and professional growth. With more effective training programs, support for tool acquisition, and workplace mentoring strategies, the sector could not only close the labor gap but also modernize its workforce to meet the technological demands of the future of transportation.
In a context where nearly two-thirds of shops lack sufficient staff and one in five positions remains vacant, those who train in the most in-demand specialties will find an open labor market with strong prospects for sustained career development.
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