CDK’s 2025 Dealership Workforce Study finds 82% of survey respondents are satisfied with their jobs, up from 74% a year ago. “I enjoy the people I work with” is the most frequently cited reason.

Second on the list is compensation, followed by the ability to learn new skills and a feeling the dealership is “heading in the right direction.” Supportive leadership rounds out the top five.

Top sources of on-the-job stress include economic uncertainty (40%), difficult customers (36%) and the future of the auto industry (31%). Just over two-thirds (67%) of respondents say their compensation reflects their effort while about half (54%) believe their compensation is competitive with other dealerships.

“Perhaps just as important as job satisfaction: Fewer dealership employees are looking to leave for another job in the next six months — falling from 31% in 2024 to 22% this year,” analysts note.

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