Transportation & Logistics career

Shuttle Driver

Also called: Chauffeur · Limo Driver · Airport Shuttle Driver · Paratransit Driver

What shuttle drivers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a shuttle driver do?

Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs drive automobiles, vans or limousines to transport passengers on a scheduled or on-demand basis. The median pay is $37,290 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days to weeks, and employment is projected to grow +7.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $37,290
    $17.93/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +7.1%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    35,500
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    No formal educational credential
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    A few days to weeks
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    251,500
    Employment, 2025

What shuttle drivers do

Shuttle drivers move people safely and on time. They drive airport, hotel, campus and paratransit shuttles and limousines, help passengers with bags and mobility devices, keep vehicles clean and follow schedules.

No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

  • Drive passengers
  • Follow schedules
  • Help with luggage
  • Assist riders with disabilities
  • Keep vehicles clean
  • Inspect vehicles
  • Communicate with dispatch

Work environment and schedule

Drivers work in vehicles and at pickup points.

Schedule: Shifts include early mornings, nights and weekends.

A day in the life

  1. Inspect the shuttle.
  2. Run the airport loop.
  3. Help a rider with a wheelchair.
  4. Fuel and clean.

See a full day in the life of a shuttle driver →

Shuttle Driver salary

Half of shuttle drivers earned more than $37,290 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $28,090 for the lowest 10% to $55,070 for the top 10%.

Full shuttle driver pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a shuttle driver

  1. Get a driver’s license
  2. Keep a clean record
  3. Get a CDL if needed
  4. Get hired
  5. Advance

No formal educational credential is required.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a shuttle driver →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Safe driving
  • Passenger assistance
  • Wheelchair securement
  • Route knowledge
  • Vehicle inspection

People skills

  • Courtesy
  • Patience
  • Punctuality
  • Calm

All shuttle driver skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Faster-than-average growth
  • Short training
  • Meet people
  • Flexible schedules

Cons

  • Traffic
  • Odd hours
  • Modest pay
  • Lifting bags

Certifications and licenses

  • CDL with passenger endorsement: For larger vehicles.
  • Clean driving record: Required.
  • Passenger assistance training: PASS or similar.
  • Chauffeur license: Required in some cities.

Career path

  1. Driver: Entry.
  2. Lead Driver: Lead.
  3. Dispatcher: Coordinate.
  4. Transportation Supervisor: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Shuttle Driver training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as help a rider using a wheelchair lift and keep a shuttle on schedule, safety and how to land your first job.

View Shuttle Driver trainingIs this career right for me?

Taxi Driver

Drive passengers where they need to go by taxi or rideshare.

  • $42,100
  • A few days

Transit Bus Driver

Drive city and intercity buses that get people to work, school and home.

  • $59,050
  • 6–10 weeks

Ambulance Driver

Drive ambulances and medical vans to move patients safely.

  • $35,450
  • A few weeks of training

Compare: Shuttle Driver vs. Taxi Driver · Shuttle Driver vs. Transit Bus Driver · Shuttle Driver vs. Ambulance Driver · Shuttle Driver vs. School Bus Driver

Shuttle Driver FAQ

Do I need a CDL?

For larger shuttles, yes.

Is the job growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

Do I need a degree?

No.

How much does a shuttle driver make?

The median annual wage for shuttle drivers was $37,290 ($17.93 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $28,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $55,070.

How long does it take to become a shuttle driver?

Most people need about A few days to weeks of training. No formal educational credential is required.

Do you need a degree to be a shuttle driver?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More shuttle driver questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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