Prevailing Wage for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
The prevailing wage for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors under SOC 53-1041 is set by DOL using regional wage surveys across dozens of U.S. metros. Whether your job title reads Cargo Supervisor, Ground Operations Supervisor, or Loadmaster, DOL assigns one of four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts significantly depending on the worksite city.
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Entry-level supervisors with limited experience, typically in their first supervisory role. Familiar with basic cargo loading procedures but working under close direction. Most candidates at this level have less than two years in an aircraft cargo oversight capacity.
Qualified supervisors with moderate experience applying established procedures independently. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors, covering candidates who handle routine cargo coordination and crew oversight without requiring constant supervision.
Experienced supervisors who exercise independent judgment, handle complex load planning or center-of-gravity calculations, and may mentor junior staff. Typically several years into the role with a track record of managing multi-aircraft or multi-shift operations.
Fully competent supervisors at the senior or lead level, often responsible for setting departmental procedures, overseeing large ground crews, or serving as the primary loadmaster on complex cargo operations. Recognized as a subject-matter authority within the organization.
Prevailing Wage for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for Loadmaster title misclassification
Employers sometimes file LCAs for Loadmasters under a broader transportation SOC, missing the SOC 53-1041 floor entirely. Confirm your offer letter title maps to Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors, not a generic ground crew or logistics code.
Account for hub airport metro wage gaps
Cargo supervisor wages vary sharply between major hub metros like Washington DC and lower-volume markets like Pittsburgh. If your offer is at a regional airport, verify the worksite city listed on the LCA matches your actual station, since that city controls the prevailing wage floor.
Check whether ramp supervisor roles qualify at L2
Ramp Supervisor and Ramp and Cargo Supervisor positions at mid-size carriers typically qualify at Level 2. Employers filing at Level 1 for a role that involves independent crew oversight and shift management may be understating the required experience level.
Find employers who have sponsored cargo supervisors before
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historical H-1B and green card sponsorship records for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors, so you can focus your search on carriers and ground-handling contractors with a proven track record of filing for this specific role.
Jobs for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 53-1041.00 alongside Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Cargo Supervisor Prevailing Wage
Cargo Supervisor Prevailing Wage
Cargo Supervisor positions fall under SOC 53-1041.00 (Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Ground Operations Supervisor Prevailing Wage
Ground Operations Supervisor Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Ground Operations Supervisor for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-1041.00 (Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Line Service Supervisor (LSS) Prevailing Wage
Line Service Supervisor (LSS) Prevailing Wage
Line Service Supervisor (LSS) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-1041.00 (Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Loadmaster Prevailing Wage
Loadmaster Prevailing Wage
Loadmaster positions fall under SOC 53-1041.00 (Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Ramp and Cargo Supervisor Prevailing Wage
Ramp and Cargo Supervisor Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Ramp and Cargo Supervisor for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-1041.00 (Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Ramp Supervisor Prevailing Wage
Ramp Supervisor Prevailing Wage
Ramp Supervisor is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-1041.00 (Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL determine the prevailing wage for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?
DOL sets the prevailing wage for SOC 53-1041 using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These surveys sample employers in each metropolitan area and produce four wage levels corresponding to entry through fully competent experience. OFLC publishes the resulting figures, and employers must certify they will pay at or above the applicable level when filing an LCA for a sponsored position.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
The four levels reflect experience and job complexity. Level 1 covers entry-level supervision under close direction; Level 2 covers qualified supervisors working independently on routine tasks; Level 3 covers experienced professionals exercising independent judgment; and Level 4 covers senior or lead supervisors recognized as subject-matter authorities. Your level should match the duties and supervision described in the actual job offer, not just the title. Review the position description and compare it against DOL's level definitions published by OFLC.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same cargo supervisor role differ so much between cities?
OFLC uses regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, so wages reflect local labor markets rather than a single national figure. A Cargo Supervisor role near a major international hub like Washington DC or Atlanta commands a higher floor than the same role in a smaller market like Pittsburgh. Under LCA rules, the wage is tied to the physical worksite address listed on the form, so the metro where you actually work, not the employer's headquarters, determines which prevailing wage applies.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
If an employer files an LCA at a wage below the applicable DOL prevailing wage for your level and location, the LCA should not receive OFLC certification. If it is certified in error and the underpayment is discovered, DOL can pursue back-wage liability, debarment from future sponsorships, and civil penalties against the employer. For the sponsored worker, an LCA with an incorrect wage level can create complications during USCIS adjudication of the underlying petition. The prevailing wage floor is a legal minimum, not a starting point for negotiation.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC code 53-1041 filtered by your target metropolitan area. The tool returns the four prevailing wage levels for that location. Cross-check the metro selection against the worksite address on your offer, since OFLC assigns wages to specific metropolitan statistical areas. For sponsored job searches, Migrate Mate lists employers with documented sponsorship history for ground operations and cargo supervisor roles, letting you filter by location to focus on markets where filings have actually occurred.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors right now.
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