A new report from the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation shows a shortage of 10,000 technicians a year for construction and agriculture equipment dealers.
That translates into an annual cost of $7 billion in lost shop and parts revenue, according to the 2026 Technician Shortage Research Report. The anticipated revenue loss has almost tripled since the AED Foundation’s 2016 report estimated a $2.4 billion-a-year hit.
The new report also shows 80% of responding dealers say they are unable to meet customer demand because of a lack of qualified technicians. That’s a 20% increase over 2016’s responses.
The shortage is hurting dealers in other ways, as well:
- 77% say the shortage is hindering business growth.
- 72% say it’s causing increased costs and operational inefficiencies.
To combat the shortage, the report lists the following priorities for dealers, manufacturers, educators and industry partners for long-term action:
- Increase registered apprenticeship programs and other work-based learning across AED member dealers.
- Advocate for federal and state funding for career and technical education. The report notes that 63% of schools lack proper funding, and 59% lack modern training equipment.
- Launch a nationally coordinated industry image campaign to change false perceptions associated with vocational education and careers.
- Build a playbook for AED member dealers for retaining their technicians. The report notes that “79% of practicing technicians would leave under the right conditions.”
- Create an agriculture dealer workforce initiative.
- Keep the momentum going with future AED reports to “help congressional offices, state legislators, and the Departments of Education and Labor understand the urgent need for policy investment to create a well-trained, sustainable technician workforce.”
"Research helps us understand the challenge, but our mission is to help solve it,” says Sean Fitzgerrel, vice president of the AED Foundation. “Through accredited college programs, recognized high school partnerships, instructor development, career awareness initiatives and relationships with dealers and manufacturers, we're building a stronger workforce pipeline that will support the equipment industry for years to come."
Powered byThe 2026 Technician Shortage Research Report is available as a free download on the AED Foundation website, www.aedfoundation.org.
