The number of female diesel technicians and mechanics in corporations with for-hire or private fleets in the commercial freight transportation industry remains low, according to new data highlighted in the 2024-25 WIT Index, released by the Wnbaz (WIT). The WIT Index is the official industry barometer to benchmark and measure each year the percentage of women who make up critical roles in transportation.
In fact, according to the 2024-25 WIT Index only 4% of total technician positions are filled by women. The WIT Index first began asking respondents in 2022 to report the percentage of women in these roles. Download the Executive Summary of the 2024-25 WIT Index at no cost
The Critical Role: Diesel Technicians & Mechanics
So what’s the importance of this role? Professional truck drivers play a vital role in the U.S. economy by safely transporting the nation’s freight. But they cannot complete that mission when their trucks are in the shop or broken down on the side of the road – whether it is caused by a problem with the engine aftertreatment system, an electrical issue, or the truck’s brakes.
Skilled truck diesel technicians and mechanics are critical to the success of the transportation industry by helping keep drivers on the road.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, diesel technicians are in high demand across the United States, with approximately 242,200 technicians employed. And unfortunately, there is a severe shortage of technicians. In fact, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the industry will need about 200,000 technicians over the next 10 years just to keep up with current truck maintenance demands. U.S. technical schools are only training approximately 3,500 diesel technicians/mechanics each year.
“There’s a severe shortage of diesel technicians in the trucking industry, and women can play a key role in addressing this gap,” says Jennifer Hedrick, WIT President and CEO. “The WIT Foundation provides scholarships to women seeking training in this area as well, and we place significant efforts into promote this potential career option to women.”
Female Technicians Share Their Career Experiences
While it’s not a traditional career role for women to be in, many are ideal candidates to be successful in such a career. Many women have the technical skills, the personality and the passion to succeed as a diesel technician or mechanic.
Take Alyssa Briggs, for example.
In her mid-20s, Briggs has already carved out a successful role as a trailer mechanic at XPO – and has been on this career path for the last four years of her life.
Alyssa Briggs, Trailer Mechanic at XPO, Inc.
Unsure of what she wanted to do when she grew up, Briggs was accepted several years ago into a diesel mechanic course. At first, she was unsure about the career path because she knew nothing about anything mechanical – and closest she had come to working on a vehicle was watching her stepfather change oil in a car.
On the first day of school, she realized she was the only woman in her class, making her even more nervous, however, most of the men were quick to answer the questions she had and taught her a lot of useful information. As time went on, she grew to love mechanics and the more she learned, the more interested she became.
After graduation, Briggs began researching and came across XPO, which seemed like the perfect fit as the compensation, benefits and time off stood out. She recalls during her interview: “I remember asking the interviewer if the company had ever employed a woman mechanic and to my surprise, he responded with, ‘we actually have two other great women mechanics here.’ I couldn’t believe it and hearing that helped ease my nerves going into this field – I wasn’t alone!” Briggs accepted a job offer and fast-forward four years later she is thriving in this career.
Keelie Boyer, a truck maintenance and truck prep technician, is another example of a women loving her career.
While attending high school in Springfield, MO: “I realized I wanted to go into mechanics when I was a young kid working on cars and trucks with my dad, and tractors with my grandpa.”
Keelie Boyer, Truck Maintenance & Truck Prep Technician with Wilson Logistics
At only 20 years of age, Boyer is one of the youngest in the department. “Wilson Logistics has trained me on a lot of things I never knew about trucking and, in this career you are never done learning,” she continues. “You never know everything you’re going to learn – especially when it comes to changes in electronics in trucks. It’s fun because you’re learning all the time.”
At Wilson Logistics, the role of the truck technician is to “keep all of the trucks operating within DOT compliance and to make our drivers want to drive our trucks, says Boyer. “We help to keep our drivers excited about their jobs from the time they open the door and see that everything is clean, shiny and working perfectly.”
Boyer’s responsibilities include prepping trucks for drivers, completing inspections with attentiveness according to the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and keeping the tire balancing machine cleaned and stocked. Other responsibilities include keeping the tool room clean and organized.
What advice does Boyer give other women considering a career path in the diesel/truck technician field? “If you are younger and you think this is something you may want to do, take an automotive class in school,” she advises. “Gain basic knowledge of vehicles, but realize you don’t need to understand cars and trucks when you first start out because your shop is going to train you,” she says. “Also be ready to stand up for yourself, be willing to listen and learn, be open to take advice from other guys in the shop, be ready to lift heavy things and work safely.”
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“There’s a severe shortage of diesel technicians in the trucking industry, and women can play a key role in addressing this gap,” says Jennifer Hedrick, WIT President and CEO. “The WIT Foundation provides scholarships to women seeking training in this area as well, and we place significant efforts into promote this potential career option to women.”
Alyssa Briggs, Trailer Mechanic at XPO, Inc.
Keelie Boyer, Truck Maintenance & Truck Prep Technician with Wilson Logistics
