Women in the Heavy-Duty Repair Industry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The fifth annual State of Heavy-Duty Repair Report (SOHDR) from Fullbay reveals that 48% of women in the industry prefer to remain at a single shop throughout their careers. This contrasts with the prevalent trend among male counterparts, where 23% reported working at two shops and 20% at three.
Insights on Gender Representation
The report indicates that 84% of the surveyed workforce comprises men, while 19% are women. Despite this significant gender disparity, many women seem more inclined towards long-term commitments in their roles, suggesting a potential opportunity for shops to enhance retention strategies particularly for female technicians.
Collaboration with ATA for Improved Insights
In partnership with the American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council, Fullbay has published this comprehensive report, equipping business owners and shop managers in the commercial repair sector with crucial insights, trends, and benchmarks to optimize their operational efficiency.
A Word from the CEO
“The commitment we put into this report embodies our mission to empower heavy-duty repair shops to improve efficiency and profitability while prioritizing safety on our roads,” stated Patrick McKittrick, CEO of Fullbay. He emphasized that this year’s report combines valuable data from industry peers and real-world insights from shops utilizing Fullbay’s services, fostering a resourceful comparison tool for shop proprietors to assess their performance alongside their counterparts.
Growth in Employment Numbers
The report highlights a notable 14.3% rise in the total number of employees in heavy-duty repair shops across the nation. Moreover, 45% of these shops evaluate their labor rates annually, with 46% affirming that their rates are competitive within the market.
Key Findings
- Labor rates have increased by over $4 each year, experiencing a significant jump of $9 since 2023 (from $125 to $134).
- Only 66% of participating shops provide health benefits to their technicians, potentially complicating recruitment efforts.
- Smaller repair shops reported the highest average of completed hours per month, clocking in at 114 hours.
- The average cost of parts and revenue for the surveyed shops stood at $195 and $246, respectively, yielding a total margin of 21%.
- Around 36% of shops indicated they do not run apprenticeship programs, while 33% offer such training.
- There was a 7.2% increase reported in the cost of mobile repair labor.
- Technicians noted a year-over-year pay increase of 7.4% from 2023 to 2024, and 3.4% from 2024 to 2025, leading to an average hourly wage of $30.
- Usage of VMRS codes among shops is growing, with 22% reporting implementation, a considerable rise from the previous year.
- 31% of shop owners revealed they do not receive a drawn salary.
- Mobile repair services are offered by 81% of surveyed shops.
A Resource for Shop Owners
Robert Braswell, TMC Executive Director, expressed enthusiasm about hosting events aimed at providing impactful education and leadership focused on maintenance, sustainability, and technology practices for the heavy-duty repair community. He declared, “This annual report is an essential resource for shop owners, offering critical insights to help them make informed decisions that will enhance their operations and support their workforce.”
Data Collection Process
The findings in Fullbay’s report derive from nearly 1,000 surveys conducted among professionals in freight, logistics, and repair sectors, coupled with genuine shop data. This year’s analysis included a significantly larger number of shops compared to previous years, influencing the year-over-year outcomes. The majority of commerces surveyed are located in the U.S. and Canada, with limited participation from New Zealand and Australia. Data anonymity is maintained except for details categorized by role, geography, and industry.
Upcoming Resources
The 2025 report is available for free download. Fullbay reserves the right to update the digital report as new information is gathered. Users are encouraged to refer to the digital link for the most up-to-date findings and insights.
