There's a $160,000 mechanic job at Ford that the company is struggling to fill

Ford is offering six-figure pay to experienced transmission mechanics, but the bays are still sitting empty.

Dealerships across the country are struggling to find technicians willing to take on the role.

The work is physically demanding and mentally intense.

And the path to that paycheck is longer than most people expect.

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Ford pays most technicians using a flat-rate system

At a Ford dealership in Kent, Ohio, Ted Hummel is one of the rare exceptions.

A soft-spoken 39-year-old and father of two, Hummel holds Ford’s highest technician certification as a senior master.

While many car mechanics avoid transmissions due to their size, complexity, and sheer weight, Hummel thrives on them.

On a recent morning, he confidently tackled a transmission swap on a Ford F-150, a job officially billed at nearly 15 hours, knowing he could finish it in under six.

This efficiency is where the money comes from.

The faster and more accurate you are, the more you earn.

According to The Wall Street Journal, dealerships typically pay technicians using a flat-rate system, meaning mechanics are paid per job, not per hour worked.

For elite transmission mechanics like Hummel, that can translate into six figures.

In 2025, he earned around $160,000, thanks to his speed, expertise, and additional pay for supervising apprentices.

But reaching that level of experience is anything but easy.

Most technicians start with pay closer to fast-food wages, while also spending tens of thousands of dollars on tools out of their own pockets.

Hummel himself invested roughly $30,000 in schooling and thousands more in specialized equipment, including torque wrenches that can cost $800 each.

Injuries, slow periods, and inconsistent workloads often derail careers long before six figures come into view.

Many transmission mechanics end up leaving due to injuries

Ford CEO Jim Farley has openly acknowledged the problem.

In fact, he has stated that he wants his 17-year-old son to get a job as a mechanic.

The company estimates around 5,000 technician positions sit vacant at dealerships nationwide.

While top earners exist, the median pay for dealership technicians in the US is under $60,000.

And the physical toll is also real.

Heavy lifting, repetitive strain, and the pressure to work fast pushes many mechanics out of the trade entirely.

Even Hummel knows the risks.

He avoids lifting beyond his limits and calls for help when needed, having seen talented coworkers leave due to injuries.

One former colleague now runs a startup after hernias ended his dealership career.

Ford is trying to fight back with training centers, scholarships, and apprenticeship programs.

But for now, the $160,000 transmission mechanic remains one of the best-paying, but hardest-to-fill jobs in the auto industry.

It rewards mastery, speed, and endurance, and it is not for the faint of heart.

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