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Skilled Technician Shortage Pressures Ford Shops In The United States, Raises Salaries For Transmission Specialists And Exposes An Expensive Training System, High Physical Demand And Growing Differences Between Top Career Professionals And The Rest Of The Category.
The shortage of qualified mechanics at authorized Ford shops in the United States is already pressuring dealerships to offer salaries that can reach around US$ 160,000 per year, equivalent to approximately R$ 860,000, to retain professionals capable of making complex repairs at a faster-than-average pace.
One of the examples cited in a report by The Wall Street Journal is Ted Hummel, a technician specialized in transmissions who has become a reference for performing gear changes in record time, in a routine marked by high training costs, physical demands, and a payment system that rewards speed—but penalizes those who cannot keep up.
Heavy Gear Change Becomes A Rare Differential In Shops
Shortly after 7 AM, when many are still having breakfast, Hummel is usually already working on a 2019 Ford F-150 pickup truck.
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His task for the day may start with the type of service that deters some of his colleagues: removing and replacing the vehicle’s entire transmission, a unit that weighs nearly 140 kg and requires strength, technique, and attention to avoid damaging expensive components.
This scene repeats itself at a dealership in Kent, Ohio, where Hummel works.
At 39 years old and a father of two, he has achieved the title of “Senior Master”, a classification reserved for highly qualified technicians within the network, according to the report.
Rather than avoid the job, he treats it as a personal challenge. The logic is simple: the faster and more accurately you work, the greater the financial return.
Hummel is known for mastering the process “by heart,” significantly reducing the official estimated time to complete the gear change, which, in the system adopted by many shops, can increase earnings by the end of the month.
Task Payment Model Widens Inequality Among Technicians
The report points out that remuneration at dealership shops often follows a model called “flat rate”, where the professional is paid for the standard time expected for a job, not necessarily for the actual hours worked.
In practice, those who complete a task more quickly can “earn hours” on paper and boost their income.
On the other hand, less experienced technicians feel the pressure. If the flow of work slows down or if the available tasks are challenging, there are cases where income shrinks.
This mechanism helps explain why highly specialized professionals become sought after.
In 2025, Hummel would have earned around US$ 160,000 for the year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The difference between those who reach the top and those who do not is part of the paradox described in the industry.
The service becomes more expensive for the consumer, but the average worker’s earnings don’t rise in the same proportion.
According to the report, maintenance costs have risen 59% in the last decade, while the average technicians’ salaries increased by 34% in the same period.
Ford Admits Thousands Of Open Positions At Dealerships
The labor shortage, which has been a longstanding issue in the American automotive market, returned to the center of debate following statements from Ford CEO Jim Farley in a podcast.
<p“We have 5,000 open positions at our dealerships in the U.S.,” he said, commenting on the difficulty of filling positions related to maintenance and repair.
Farley also pointed out that these roles can reach US$ 120,000 per year, about R$ 645,000 in approximate conversion, but require a long training path.
According to the executive, at least five years of training and practice are needed to reach the highest valued level.
The effect is felt in the daily operations of the shops.
Even with an aging fleet and increasingly sophisticated cars, the replacement of technicians isn’t keeping pace with demand, especially when learning involves embedded electronics, specialized tools, and heavy repairs like transmissions.
Expensive Training And Own Tools Deter New Professionals
The journey to the top doesn’t just depend on time. Hummel, according to the account, had to invest in his own qualifications and in equipment.
Technical training is reported to have cost around R$ 161,000 in the conversion stated in the original text.
Additionally, the tool kit, being the technician’s property, is often paid through weekly financing.
There are items that are not optional. Specialty tools required for certain procedures can be expensive.
The report cites parts that can cost up to R$ 4,300 each, according to the conversion used in the original text.
In a market where beginners are still trying to stabilize, this initial cost acts as a barrier for those without capital or support.
Moreover, Hummel supplements his income by training apprentices. This activity accounts for about one-third of total income, according to the report.
Training new professionals thus also becomes a sort of additional work for those already dealing with complex services.
Injuries And Physical Wear Shortening Careers In Shops
Even for those earning above average, the work carries a cost that does not show up on the paycheck.
Changing transmissions and handling heavy parts repeatedly puts pressure on the spine, shoulders, and joints.
Hummel himself avoids movements that might strain his back, trying to preserve his health to maintain his pace.
In the same team, colleague Jim Eisenberger is presented as a counterpoint. After two hernias and a surgery, he couldn’t return to performance levels and left the profession.
The episode reinforces a reality known in shops. An injury can mean weeks without producing and, in certain payment models, without income.
Intensive Routine Summarizes The Crisis At Ford Shops
On the day described in the report, before lunch, Hummel had already removed the old transmission and was starting to position the new one, using a ratchet strap to secure the unit.
After assembly, he went out to test the pickup on the road, checking if the changes had resolved the issue.
“Everything feels smooth,” he stated, satisfied. The next day, at 7 AM sharp, he was ready to tackle another transmission.
This routine, repeated on a smaller or larger scale at shops across the country, encapsulates the tension that Ford and other automakers face.
Technology advances, the cost of repairs rises, but there aren’t enough professionals willing and physically fit to sustain the pace required to reach the top.
With such an expensive, technical, and taxing path, what will it take to convince the next generation to enter and stay in the shops?
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