Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
Machines can already do 37% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 73%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 37% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 73% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 248,530 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $37,290 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 80% for contact with people.
- Also called: Airport Shuttle Driver, Chauffeur, Driver, Limo Driver (Limousine Driver).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive shuttle busses, limousines, company cars, or privately owned vehicles to transport passengers | 40% | 45% to 85% | |
| Pick up and drop off passengers at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations, following strict time schedules | 7% | 45% to 85% | |
| Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting vehicles, and help them with any luggage | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Pick up or meet passengers according to requests, appointments, or schedules | 7% | 45% to 85% | |
| Operate vehicles with specialized equipment, such as wheelchair lifts, to transport and secure passengers with special needs | 4% | 3% to 30% | |
| Communicate with dispatchers by radio, telephone, or computer to exchange information and receive requests for passenger service | 4% | 30% to 54% | |
| Vacuum and clean interiors, and wash and polish exteriors of automobiles | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Check the condition of a vehicle's tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights, oil, fuel, water, and safety equipment to ensure that everything is in working order | 3% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills shuttle drivers and chauffeurs use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Cargo and Freight Agents67% of tasks by 2035 · US median $52,260
- Dietetic Technicians58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,640
- Fish and Game Wardens39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $74,060
- Agricultural Inspectors47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $49,940
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of shuttle drivers and chauffeurs?
Machines can do 37% of the tasks of shuttle drivers and chauffeurs today and 73% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 53-3053.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/shuttle-drivers-and-chauffeurs/