Operating a heavy-duty repair shop or managing a commercial fleet often requires making critical decisions with limited industry visibility. Rising operational costs, ongoing technician shortages and the constant demand to maximise uptime continue to challenge businesses across the sector.
Fullbay’s 2025–2026 State of Heavy-Duty Repair report provides valuable benchmarks and insights, helping operators understand where they stand — and how to adapt in a rapidly evolving environment.
Key insights from the report
- Technician wages on the rise:
Pay rates continue to climb, with technicians reporting an average 9.4% year-over-year increase in hourly wages. The report also includes detailed regional comparisons, including Canadian benchmarks. - Higher shop labour rates:
Labour costs are trending upward across North America, with the median shop rate now reaching $149 per hour — a 7.4% increase compared to the previous year. - Efficiency and productivity trends:
Performance data is broken down by shop size and geographic region, offering a clearer picture of how different operations are managing output and efficiency. - Parts and inventory management:
The report explores how shops are adapting their approach to parts sourcing, inventory control and supplier relationships amid ongoing market shifts. - Emerging role of AI:
Early insights into artificial intelligence adoption highlight how repair shops are beginning to integrate AI — along with where operators see the greatest potential for future applications.