Prevailing Wage for Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
The prevailing wage for Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs under SOC 53-3053 is set by the DOL and applies to sponsored roles including Airport Shuttle Driver, Chauffeur, and Car Driver positions. DOL establishes four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts considerably depending on the worksite city listed on the Labor Condition Application.
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Entry-level drivers with no specialized experience in the occupation, typically new to scheduled passenger transport. These workers perform routine routes under close supervision and have not yet developed independent route judgment or client-service skills specific to the role.
Qualified drivers with a foundation of relevant experience who work independently on standard routes. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs, covering the broad middle tier of working drivers who need minimal oversight.
Experienced drivers who handle complex scheduling, higher-profile clients, or specialized transport needs such as nonemergency medical runs. These workers often train junior staff and manage route exceptions without supervisor input.
Fully competent senior drivers or lead chauffeurs who oversee a team, coordinate fleet dispatch, or manage premium client accounts. This level reflects the highest scope of independent judgment and responsibility within the occupation.
Prevailing Wage for Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs 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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Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
Verify your worksite city on the LCA
For shuttle and chauffeur roles, the worksite listed on the Labor Condition Application determines the prevailing wage. Puerto Rico metros like Aguadilla and Mayaguez carry floors well below those in California or Washington state, so the same title can mean very different compliance thresholds.
Watch for title mismatches with transit SOCs
Employers sometimes file Airport Shuttle Driver or Motor Coach Driver roles under bus or transit SOC codes rather than 53-3053, which can shift the prevailing wage floor. Confirm the SOC on your LCA matches this occupation before accepting a sponsored offer.
Expect most sponsors to file at Level 2
Employers sponsoring Chauffeur or Driver positions typically file at the qualified level rather than entry. If your offer letter suggests Level 1 but you have prior route experience, the filed wage level may underrepresent your tenure and compress your floor unnecessarily.
Find sponsors with Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate lists employers who have historically sponsored Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs and shows their visa sponsorship counts by role. Use it to identify which transportation and hospitality employers have an active H-1B or green card track record for this occupation.
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Find Jobs for Shuttle Drivers and ChauffeursPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 53-3053.00 alongside Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Airport Shuttle Driver Prevailing Wage
Airport Shuttle Driver Prevailing Wage
Airport Shuttle Driver positions fall under SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). 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.
Car Driver Prevailing Wage
Car Driver Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Car Driver for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Chauffeur Prevailing Wage
Chauffeur Prevailing Wage
Chauffeur is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). 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.
Driver Prevailing Wage
Driver Prevailing Wage
Driver positions fall under SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). 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.
Limo Driver (Limousine Driver) Prevailing Wage
Limo Driver (Limousine Driver) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Limo Driver (Limousine Driver) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Motor Coach Driver Prevailing Wage
Motor Coach Driver Prevailing Wage
Motor Coach Driver is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). 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.
Shuttle Bus Driver Prevailing Wage
Shuttle Bus Driver Prevailing Wage
Shuttle Bus Driver positions fall under SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). 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.
Shuttle Driver Prevailing Wage
Shuttle Driver Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Shuttle Driver for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Special Needs Bus Driver Prevailing Wage
Special Needs Bus Driver Prevailing Wage
Special Needs Bus Driver is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). 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.
Van Driver Prevailing Wage
Van Driver Prevailing Wage
Van Driver positions fall under SOC 53-3053.00 (Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs). 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to establish prevailing wages for each SOC code, including 53-3053. The agency calculates four wage levels by applying percentile cutoffs to the regional wage distribution for the occupation. Employers filing an LCA for a sponsored Shuttle Driver or Chauffeur position must offer at least the wage level that matches the role's actual duties and worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to my offer?
DOL's four levels reflect experience and responsibility: Level 1 is entry, Level 2 is qualified and independent, Level 3 is experienced with added complexity or training duties, and Level 4 is fully competent with senior or lead scope. Your level should match the actual job duties described in the LCA and offer letter. If you have prior route experience in passenger transport, you likely qualify for Level 2 or higher rather than the entry floor.
Why does the prevailing wage for this role vary so much from city to city?
DOL calculates prevailing wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so each metro area produces its own wage distribution for SOC 53-3053. High-cost markets like San Jose and San Francisco have employer wage competition and higher living costs that push survey medians up. The LCA must cite the actual worksite address, so the wage floor is determined by where the driver physically works, not where the employer is headquartered. Puerto Rico metros consistently reflect the lowest floors in available OFLC data.
What happens if a sponsored job offer for this role falls below the prevailing wage?
An employer cannot certify a Labor Condition Application with a wage below the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite and SOC code. If the offered salary is below the floor, DOL will not certify the LCA, and USCIS cannot approve the associated visa petition. The employer must either raise the offered wage to meet or exceed the prevailing wage or withdraw the sponsorship. Accepting a below-floor offer does not protect a sponsored worker if the LCA is later audited.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Shuttle Driver or Chauffeur position in a specific U.S. city?
The OFLC Wage Search tool lets you look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 53-3053 by metropolitan area and wage level. Enter the worksite city to see all four level floors for that area. O*NET provides the occupation profile and confirms the SOC code. To find which employers have actively sponsored this role in the past, Migrate Mate lets you filter by occupation and see sponsorship history so you can focus on companies with a verified track record.
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