The 2026 NADA National & Regional Trends in Compensation, Benefits & Retention Report is now available to National Automobile Dealers Association members. Produced in partnership with ESiQ, Ander’s workforce data and analytics division, it is the automotive retail industry’s most comprehensive view of dealership compensation, turnover, retention, benefits, and demographics.
Now in its 15th year, the study gives dealers hard data on more than 60 job titles, broken out by region and by luxury versus non-luxury brands. For 2026, it goes further, adding new analysis on AI adoption, the labor market for dealership talent, and the shifting technician career path.
What the Study Covers
This year’s report is built on record participation, with 2,547 NADA member dealerships taking part (a 2% increase over 2025), making it the most comprehensive edition to date. The 2026 NADA Dealership Workforce Study breaks down:
- Compensation by job title (60+ roles), region, and brand tier (luxury vs. non-luxury)
- Turnover and retention rates across departments
- Benefits data across the dealership workforce
- Hiring trends by generation and gender
New for 2026, the study adds:
- AI adoption in dealerships. A first-ever look at how dealerships are using artificial intelligence in their operations.
- Labor market analysis. A closer read on the current market for dealership talent and where hiring pressure is building.
- The technician career ladder. An updated look at how the path into and through technician roles is changing.
- A forward-looking outlook. Analysis of the trends set to shape dealership staffing and pay through the rest of the year.
A companion American Truck Dealers (ATD) Dealership Workforce Study applies the same compensation, retention, and benefits analysis for NADA’s commercial truck dealer members.
Why the Data Matters Now
Dealerships have more workforce data available to them than ever before. But data alone doesn’t fix a staffing problem or close a pay gap. It takes context to turn numbers into action.
For nearly 30 years, Ander’s mission has been to help dealers turn workforce intelligence into better decisions, stronger cultures, and more successful businesses. The historical perspective built through the NADA Dealership Workforce Study and Ander’s dealership engagement surveys gives dealers the context they need to understand not only where they stand today, but where they need to go next. That historical view is the differentiator. The report sets this year’s numbers against 15 years of industry trends, giving dealers benchmarks to understand what’s actually driving compensation, retention, and turnover, not just a snapshot of where things stand today.
Who’s Behind the Study
ESiQ has powered the NADA Dealership Workforce Study for all 15 years of its history and has spent nearly three decades helping dealerships make smarter workforce decisions. ESiQ is part of Ander, the performance intelligence company that helps frontline organizations build habits, drive performance, and prove results.
How to Access the 2026 NADA Dealership Workforce Study
NADA members can access the full 2026 report through NADA’s member portal. Learn more about the ESiQ and NADA partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s an annual report produced by NADA in partnership with ESiQ that tracks dealership compensation, turnover, retention, benefits, and demographics across the automotive retail industry. It’s now in its 15th year.
The 2026 study adds first-ever analysis of AI adoption in dealerships, a new look at the labor market for dealership talent, an updated view of the technician career ladder, and a forward-looking outlook on workforce trends.
The study covers salary, turnover, and retention data for more than 60 dealership job titles, broken out by region and by luxury versus non-luxury brands.
Yes. The companion American Truck Dealers (ATD) Dealership Workforce Study provides the same compensation, retention, and benefits analysis for NADA’s commercial truck dealer members.
NADA publishes the study in partnership with ESiQ, Ander’s employee engagement and workforce data and analytics division.
The 2026 NADA Dealership Workforce Study is available to NADA members through NADA’s member resources.