Numbers: How Auto Repair Shops Pay Technicians

May 9, 2024

According to the 2024 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey Report, auto repair shop owners have five defined pay plans for technicians.

Chris Jones

Pay plans for auto repair shops is often a hot topic in the automotive aftermarket. According to the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey Report, there are five key plans auto repair shop owners use.

Here’s a breakdown of how independent repair shop owners structure and pay their teams.

Flat rate: 23%
Salary: 10%
Hourly: 28%
Hourly plus commission: 23%
Salary plus commission: 6%
Other: 12%

Interested in learning more about technician pay plans? Read "The SOP: What’s the Best and Most Effective Pay Plan for Technicians?" or listen to "Deconstructing Technician Pay Plans" on Ratchet+Wrench Radio.

About the Author

Chris Jones | Editor

Chris Jones is Group Editorial Director for the Vehicle Repair Group at Endeavor Business Media. He’s a multiple-award-winning editor and journalist and a certified project manager now providing editorial leadership and brand strategy for the auto care industry's most trusted automotive repair publications—Ratchet+Wrench, Modern Tire Dealer, National Oil & Lube News, FenderBender, ABRN, Professional Distributor, PTEN, Motor Age, and Aftermarket Business World.