Automotive Careers & Education

Keep America Moving: Building Careers in Automotive Technology

“We could hire 20 to 30 auto techs immediately. Every store needs techs,” said Charlie Gilchrist, local car dealer and past chairman of both NADA and the North Texas Automobile Dealers. “Every dealer I talk to is in the same situation. The industry is facing a critical shortage of service technicians.”

The Opportunity

High-paying careers at car dealerships exist in every community across America—and the demand has never been greater. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the industry needs to fill nearly 76,000 technician positions annually to keep pace with retirements and growing demand. Yet only 39,000 new service techs graduate from U.S. training programs each year, creating an annual shortfall of approximately 37,000 trained technicians.

This gap represents opportunity for job seekers and a challenge for our industry.

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), Texas ranks second in the country in the number of dealership jobs, and third in total number of training facilities/vocational schools available to prospective automotive technologists. Many of these facilities are in our own North Texas backyard.

Careers That Deliver

Today’s automotive dealerships offer far more than just technician roles. Career opportunities include:

Automotive and diesel technicians
Service and sales management
Sales consultants
Finance and insurance specialists
Parts and inventory control
Office management and administrative support
Bookkeeping and accounting

These positions offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits packages (including health care, retirement plans, and life insurance), merit-based bonuses, and clear pathways for advancement—all in modern, clean, safe work environments.

Texas Is Leading the Way

Texas ranks second nationally in dealership jobs and third in the number of automotive training facilities and vocational schools. Many of these premier training centers are right here in North Texas, providing accessible pathways to high-tech, high-paying careers.

Our Commitment

NTXAD is responding to this critical workforce need by partnering with educators, state and local government, and businesses throughout North Texas to train, certify, and employ the next generation of automotive professionals.

Together, we’re keeping America moving.