I don't know how to quantify how corrupt the vehicle repair industry is for mechanics, or if "corruption" is the correct word to describe it, but I do know they are underpaid, and it's not because shops can't afford to pay them better. It's infuriating when you think about how much it costs some people to work in this field. A person can easily spend between $40,000 and $60,000 just to learn enough of this trade for an entry level position, then another $10,000 to supply themselves with a basic set of tools, and that tool cost is an on going thing. What is the pay off? Well, if you work for a power sports dealership it probably means doing basic maintenance, tires, bike assembly, and pre delivery inspections for less than $20 per hour, and if you choose to repair cars and trucks, then it means working as a lube technician for the same amount. The dealership or shop determines how long it takes before your able to do real repair work, and even than the pay doesn't get much better. The median salary for automotive mechanic is $49,670 per year, and for motorcycle mechanics its $46,270 per year. And when you do become a full time mechanic, your forced into a "flat rate" pay system, which means the faster you work the more you make. It also means your doing warranty work for the vehicle manufacturer for basically nothing.
It's a tough road to hoe, and most people don't last long. Many people who tough it out end up with severe bodily injuries or some illness caused by long term over exposure to toxic chemicals. I challenge you, go to any dealership repair shop and count how many older people you see working. It won't be many, and it wouldn't surprise me if there are none. If any industry needed some type of union like the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for truck drivers, it's the vehicle repair field. Mechanics are getting screwed and hurt and nobody seems to care.
