The $120,000 job many Americans are not filling.

Ford and other employers report thousands of mechanic and skilled-trade openings that can pay up to $120,000, but firms say a shortage of experienced workers and long training timelines are keeping many roles vacant.

Thousands of high-paying mechanic and other skilled-trade roles in the United States are reported open while employers say they cannot find enough experienced workers to fill them. Ford's chief executive is among those describing a gap between available jobs and the workforce able to do them. Some technicians reach six-figure pay after many years on the job, while entry salaries for these roles often start in the low $40,000s. Reports highlight long training times, required tools and physical strain as factors shaping career progression. Key facts: - Ford CEO Jim Farley said there were about 5,000 mechanic openings that can pay up to $120,000, and he reported dealerships with bays and equipment but no technicians to staff them. - A senior master technician cited in reporting earns roughly $160,000 after more than a decade in the trade, while many technicians take years to reach six-figure pay. - Job listings and reporting show starting pay for some skilled-trade roles around $42,000–$44,000 and requirements that include years of experience or apprenticeships. - Reports note that technicians often must provide costly specialized tools and that the physical nature of the work can cause injuries that affect income. - Industry estimates cited include about 345,000 new trade jobs before 2028 and projections pointing to roughly one million unfilled skilled-trade roles and 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030. Summary: The reporting indicates a persistent gap between available, often high-paying trade positions and the pool of workers with the experience and resources to take them. Undetermined at this time.