Diagnosing today’s vehicles involves more than turning a wrench. Technicians need to perform computer-based diagnostics, learn new tools, and still do the basics well. Car repair isn’t cheap—nor are the tools and training. Learning to charge what you’re worth is paramount to running a successful shop. Raising rates can be scary, but when properly done and explained to the customers, it’s a natural procession of serving them to the best of your ability.
17%: Shops under $100 per hour
42%: Shops charging labor rates more than $130 per hour
87% Shops that have raised their labor rates in the past two years
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.