Fullbay 2026 Report: Technician Shortage Threatens Heavy-Duty Repair Shops

Key Details Fullbay's sixth annual State of Heavy-Duty Repair report reveals a critical workforce challenge facing the industry despite record revenue growth. The survey of nearly 900 professionals across commercial vehicle repair shows structural technician shortages alongside rising wages and an aging workforce that could undermine long-term sustainability. The research drew responses from 3,400 shops across the United States, Canada and Australia, with 70% being independent repair operations. Fullbay processed $5.04 billion in service order commerce in 2025, plus $1.5 billion in parts revenue, representing a 68% increase since 2023. Why It Matters Sixty-one percent of shops reported stronger business in 2025 compared to 2024, with preliminary data suggesting 2026 will continue this upward trajectory. However, the median shop operates with only five technicians, creating pressure as experienced workers age out and few new techs enter the field. Industry experts attribute growth partly to aging truck fleets remaining in service longer due to high purchase prices and emissions concerns. Older equipment and complex modern systems require skilled technicians, intensifying the talent shortage as shops compete for limited repair workforce candidates.