Diesel Technician Shortage: New ATRI Study Points to Action

Diesel Technician Shortage Tightens: New ATRI Study Offers Actionable Insights

U.S. trucking faces a growing shortage of diesel technician positions, driven by understaffed shops, training gaps, and high turnover. A new ATRI study offers clear steps for addressing the issue.

Scope of the Diesel Technician Shortage

A recent American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) report paints a clear picture: 65.5% of repair shops are understaffed, with nearly one in five diesel mechanic technician positions unfilled. This shortage impacts safe and efficient freight operations and requires urgent attention.

Training Gaps Affect Diesel Technicians

ATRI found that 61.8% of diesel techs enter the field without formal training. Shops must spend, on average, 357 hours and $8,211 to train new, untrained hires. Those who have had some schooling still need 172 hours and $3,956 before they are work-ready.

Even so, more than 30% of graduates from formal training programs lack qualifications in 20 core skills. ATRI’s breakdown shows that in some skill areas, extra training delivers strong results. In others, it barely improves performance—showing the need for a smarter training approach.

Barriers Facing New Diesel Mechanics 

Many new diesel technicians face real challenges before they can start on the job:

• 29% cite the high cost of tools
• 28% say they lack prior technical knowledge
• 16.1% point to inadequate pay
• 10.8% report poor mentorship in shops

These obstacles create a gap between training programs and actual career entry. Even graduates sometimes fail to secure work soon after finishing school.

Turnover Among Diesel Technicians Threatens Stability

Retention is another challenge. About 44% of diesel mechanics say they are considering leaving the industry, with many moving to automotive or agricultural work.

Pay concerns, weak management, and limited job variety drive these decisions. Without stronger retention strategies, the shortage will worsen as retirements and job changes increase.

Industry Solutions to Support Diesel Technicians

The ATRI report outlines several steps shops and schools can take to strengthen the diesel mechanics workforce:

1. Restructure training—Focus hours on skill areas that deliver the most value.
2. Lower tool costs—Offer tool allowances or provide discounted starter kits.
3. Boost mentorship—Pair new hires with experienced diesel technicians during onboarding.
4. Adjust pay and schedules—Improve wages and offer flexible shifts to retain staff.
5. Increase job variety—Use cross-training and varied assignments to keep work engaging.

These measures can help reduce turnover, improve repair quality, and attract more people to the diesel technician field.

Why Diesel Mechanics Matter for Trucking

Diesel mechanics are critical to keeping trucks on the road. When shops lack qualified staff, repairs take longer and trucks stay idle. This slows freight movement and raises costs for carriers.

By addressing the shortage of diesel techs, the trucking industry can improve uptime, safety, and efficiency across the supply chain.

Final Takeaway

The shortage of diesel technicians comes from understaffing, training gaps, and high turnover. ATRI’s findings go beyond the numbers, offering practical solutions that shops and schools can act on now. With better training, stronger support, and fair incentives, the industry can rebuild the diesel techs workforce and keep freight moving smoothly.

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