Hi Sara,
We can’t afford to lose our top techs, especially during season. What can we do to keep them from leaving?
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We get it. Every shop in town is eyeing your best techs like they are the last slice of pizza at a party. But keeping your top talent is not about locking the doors or bribing them with donuts (though, honestly, donuts help). It is about creating a workplace where they feel valued, see a future, and actually enjoy showing up. Here is how to keep your A-team intact.
- Pay Them What They Are Worth
Let’s be real. If you pay peanuts, you will attract monkeys. Your skilled techs bring in the big bucks, so make sure their paycheck reflects it. A good rule of thumb is to pay 30% of every labor dollar they produce.
For example, if a tech generates $120,000 in labor revenue annually, they should earn $36,000 of that. It is simple math that shows them they are valued and motivates them to keep knocking it out of the park.
Not sure what fair pay looks like? Our Service Manager Certification dives into tech pay strategies, including how to tie compensation to productivity while keeping your budget happy. Trust us, your techs will notice the difference when their paycheck actually matches their output.
- Show Them the Growth Path
Nobody wants to feel like they are stuck in a dead-end job, no matter how good the snacks in the breakroom are. Your techs need to see a clear roadmap for growth, whether that is advancing their skills, taking on more responsibility, or earning a bigger paycheck.
The Tech-Skills-and-Pay-Ranges is your secret weapon here. It lays out exactly what it takes to move from entry-level tech to top-tier Level 1 (A+), with milestones like learning diagnostics, mastering equipment, and consistently billing 100% of their time.
It is not just about saying, “There is room to grow,” but actually showing them how to do it. Plus, when you make growth opportunities part of your culture, you will attract go-getters who want to stick around and succeed.
- Fix the Culture (Yes, We Are Talking About Drama)
Culture matters. If your service department feels like an episode of reality TV, you have a problem. Take a good, honest look at the vibe in your shop. Ask yourself:
- Is management supportive or stressed out?
- Are there toxic techs making life miserable for everyone else?
Sometimes, the best way to keep your good techs is to say goodbye to those causing chaos. Create an environment where respect, teamwork, and pizza Fridays thrive. Maybe the pizza is optional, but you get the idea.
Our Service Manager Certification also offers tools to help you address tricky dynamics and build a shop culture where everyone feels valued. Happy techs stick around longer, and it is that simple.
Wrapping It Up
Keeping your best techs does not have to feel like an uphill battle. Pay them what they are worth, show them how they can grow, and build a culture they actually enjoy being part of. When your team knows you are invested in their success, they will think twice before taking calls from that other shop down the road.
Want to take your retention strategies to the next level? Our Service Manager Certification is packed with insights, tools, and tips to keep your techs happy, productive, and loyal. Because when your techs win, your dealership wins.
Now go out there and be the boss they never want to leave!
Sara Hey
