Numbers: Who Becomes a Shop Owner?

July 19, 2023

In 2023, more auto technicians are becoming shop owners, but another group is now emerging.

An auto technician stands in a shop. According to the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey Report, more technicians are becoming shop owners in 2023.

The 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey showed a 5% increase in auto repair technicians who have become shop owners since 2022, but the second largest segment came from an unlikely group—porters (up 4%).

Porter: 11%
Vendor: 3%
Service advisor: 35%
Administrative staff: 16%
Technician: 69%
Manager: 42%
None: 10%

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.