Despite the barriers that still exist, more and more women are entering the truck maintenance industry.
The road transport industry is the pillar that keeps the economy of the United States moving. However, behind the vehicles that transport goods across highways, there is a network of professionals who keep them operational: diesel technicians. These highly skilled workers are responsible for diagnosing and repairing the technical and mechanical issues that may arise in trucks, from problems with the engine’s aftertreatment system to issues with brakes or the electrical system. Without them, trucks could not continue their journey, which would disrupt the delivery of essential products.

Diesel technicians: more and more women are joining this sector
Despite its importance, this field is facing a crisis of skilled labor shortages, particularly among women. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the sector will need approximately 200,000 technicians in the next decade just to keep up with the current demand for truck maintenance. Unfortunately, technical schools only train around 3,500 new diesel technicians annually, which exacerbates the shortage.
Within this context, the lack of women in the industry is particularly noticeable. According to the Women In Trucking (WIT) Index 2024-2025, only 4% of truck maintenance technicians are women. Additionally, 47% of surveyed companies do not have any women in their maintenance workshops, and only 23% report having between 1% and 4% women in technical roles. However, despite these statistics, there is a growing trend toward hiring women in this sector.
While the barriers still exist, more and more women are entering the truck maintenance industry. One of the main reasons is the pursuit of professional and economic independence. For many women, this profession provides a pathway to build a solid career in a traditionally male-dominated field, overcoming challenges and demonstrating their technical skills.
The skills acquired in this field are highly transferable. Furthermore, truck maintenance work offers competitive compensation, which can increase rapidly with experience and specialization. Technical schools offering diesel mechanics programs typically have lower tuition costs than traditional universities, allowing students to begin their careers without accumulating significant debt.

The future: a more diverse and necessary sector
The growing presence of women in the sector not only addresses a labor need but also represents a step toward gender equality in traditionally male-dominated technical professions. Women bring different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, which can be an added value to the industry. Truck maintenance workshops, ranging from dealerships to companies with large private fleets and logistics operations, are adapting to attract female talent through mentorship programs, scholarships, and inclusive work environments.
While the path to greater female representation in truck maintenance is still unfolding, the signs are positive. As women continue to demonstrate their technical prowess and ability to excel in this field, it is likely that more women will be encouraged to pursue this career, contributing to the diversification and strengthening of a sector that is essential to the global economy.

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