Job satisfaction among U.S. dealership employees remains relatively high in 2026, although CDK Global’s latest workplace study identifies a notable weak spot among employees early in their dealership careers.
The 2026 CDK Dealership Workplace Study found overall job satisfaction at 80 per cent, down slightly from 82 per cent in 2025 but above the 74 per cent recorded in 2024. Employees with one to three years of dealership experience reported just 64 per cent satisfaction, compared with 82 per cent among those with four to seven years and 83 per cent among employees with more than 10 years.
Workplace relationships remain an important contributor to satisfaction. Eighty-two per cent said they enjoy the people they work with, up from 65 per cent last year. Meanwhile, 51 per cent said their dealership is heading in the right direction, compared with 37 per cent in 2025. Overall motivation reached 91 per cent.
Stress levels also improved. The share of employees who said there was too much stress at their job fell to 31 per cent from 41 per cent. Economic uncertainty remained the leading source of stress at 40 per cent, while work-life balance rose as a concern, cited by 32 per cent compared with 21 per cent last year.
Retention, however, remains a concern. Sixty-four per cent said they do not plan to leave automotive retail, while five per cent expect to leave within six months and 20 per cent within one to five years. Gen Z employees were the most likely to leave, at 47 per cent.
Benefits were another pressure point. Inadequate benefits was the only tracked area of dissatisfaction to increase, rising to 43 per cent from 32 per cent.
