Tyre technician pay up 21%

During lockdown, one popular meme said: A key worker, someone whose work is overlooked and undervalued until a crisis, well that’s the clean version. As far as tyre technicians are concerned. their uniquely important role in keeping essential services running both during crises and in more normal times has definitely been overlooked by many. However, the latest Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) data suggests that’s beginning to change.

November’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) data shows that the four quarter average salary growth rate is currently 6.5 per cent in the UK. However, pay rates are growing much faster in the automotive and specifically tyre technician sectors due to higher than average demand. On 24 November, IMI posted its latest Automotive Job Postings Briefing, which found that the recent 20-year high vacancy rate has led to increased demand and higher salaries.

The current vacancy rate (number of vacancies per 100 employees) for Motor Trades is 3.8, which equates to 20,000 vacancies – slightly below the national rate of 4.1 per cent for all industries. The rate rose rapidly during 2021 and remained at record levels into 2022, although the rates have dipped in the past two months.

Tyre fitters have seen the largest salary increase

Whilst all roles have seen higher numbers of job posts and escalated salaries advertised, the most significant increases have been seen in posts seeking vehicle technicians, vehicle and parts salespersons and tyre, exhaust and windscreen fitters.

Tyre, exhaust and windscreen fitters have seen the largest salary increases over the three-year period, growing by 21.3 per cent to an average of £26,600. Not only is the rate of increase more than three times the national average across all jobs, it is also more than double the current 10 per cent rate of inflation. The reason? The number of jobs advertised is now 45 per cent higher than the same period last year.

Vehicle Technicians are seeing the largest salary percentage increase in the last six months, with average advertised salaries rising by 5.5 per cent, to an average of £34,500. There are now 70 per cent more job posts for this role than in September 2019

Job postings for vehicle and parts salespersons have dropped slightly in the past two months but remain 34 per cent up on the last year. Salaries in this role are now 11.5 per cent higher than three years ago.

“At the IMI, we keep a close eye on automotive industry data to help us understand what’s really going on in our sector,” commented Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI. “It has been very encouraging to see the steady growth in salaries being offered for automotive professionals. In the past our analysis has highlighted a salary premium for job posts specifically requesting EV skills. However, this year the high levels of vacancies are across the board, and the urgent need to address the issue, means that all salaries have increased. Vehicle technician salaries are now at the same level as salaries advertised for EV job roles.

“Whilst over inflated salary expectations can put pressure on employers, it is extremely positive for individuals, especially during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. As an industry body one of the most common issues our members raise is how the sector can attract talent and minimise churn. With this challenge in mind, it is encouraging to see the industry evolving and salaries rising to reflect the talent and value of motor trade professionals.”