The Tech Check | Q3 2026

More technicians are looking for jobs. Recruiting costs are still lower than they were a year ago, and it's getting cheaper to actually make a hire. There's a catch. And our latest Tech Check report shows you why you might want to act sooner rather than later.

Let's start with technician job searches. After a relatively quiet first half of the year, search interest jumped 9% in the third quarter, reaching its highest level of 2026. And that's good news for shops looking to hire.

But here's the thing. Over the past four years, we've seen technician job searches decline from the third quarter to the fourth, so that increase in activity might not last much longer.

And that's not the only thing changing. Remember how recruiting costs were falling earlier this year? Well, job board advertising costs jumped 34% in quarter three. Now they're considerably cheaper than they were a year ago. But that increase could be a sign that things are starting to turn around.

Interestingly, social media advertising costs are still moving in the opposite direction. So where you spend your recruiting dollars could make a big difference.

But here's one of the most interesting numbers in the whole report. The average cost to hire a technician is now 35% lower than it was this time last year. In fact, it's the lowest level we've measured since 2021.

More technicians searching, relatively low recruiting costs, and more affordable hires. But how long will those conditions stick around?

Our Q3 Tech Check breaks down what's happening in the technician hiring market, where recruiting dollars are going further, and what shops should be watching as we head into the final quarter of the year.

Don't miss your opportunity to get ahead of these changes. Download your free copy of the Q3 Tech Check today.