Bus Drivers

Summary

What Bus Drivers Do About this section

Intercity bus drivers transport passengers between cities or towns.

Bus drivers transport people between various places—including school, work, and shopping centers—and across state and national borders. Some drive set routes, and others transport passengers on chartered trips or sightseeing tours. They drive a range of vehicles, from 15-passenger buses to 60-foot articulated buses (with two connected sections) that can carry more than 100 passengers.

Duties

Bus drivers typically do the following:

• Pick up and drop off passengers at designated locations
• Follow a planned route according to a time schedule
• Help passengers, including those with disabilities, get on and off the bus
• Obey traffic laws and state and federal transit regulations
• Follow procedures to ensure passenger safety
• Keep passengers informed of possible delays
• Perform basic maintenance (check the bus tires, lights, and oil)
• Keep the bus clean and presentable to the public

The following are examples of types of bus drivers:

School bus drivers transport students to and from school and other activities, such as field trips and sporting events, when the academic term is in session. School bus drivers typically do the following:

• Ensure the safety of children getting on and off the bus
• Attend to the needs of children with disabilities
• Keep order and safety on the bus
• Understand and enforce the school system's rules of conduct
• Report disciplinary problems to the school district and parents or guardians

Local transit bus drivers follow a daily schedule while transporting people on set routes along city or suburban streets. They stop frequently, often every few blocks and when a passenger requests a stop. Local transit drivers typically do the following:

• Collect bus fares or manage fare box transactions
• Answer questions about schedules, routes, and transfer points
• Report accidents and other traffic disruptions to a central dispatcher

Intercity bus drivers transport passengers between cities or towns, sometimes crossing state lines. They usually pick up and drop off passengers at bus stations or curbside locations in downtown urban areas. Intercity drivers typically do the following:

• Ensure that all passengers have a valid ticket to ride the bus
• Sell tickets to passengers when there are unsold seats available, if necessary
• Keep track of when passengers get on or off the bus
• Help passengers load and unload baggage

Charter bus drivers, sometimes called motorcoach drivers, transport passengers on chartered trips or sightseeing tours. Trip planners generally arrange their schedules and routes based on the convenience of the passengers, who are often on vacation.  Charter bus drivers are sometimes away for long periods because they usually stay with the passengers for the length of the trip. Charter bus drivers typically do the following:

• Regulate heating, air-conditioning, and lighting, for passenger comfort
• Ensure that the trip stays on schedule
• Help passengers load and unload baggage
• Account for all passengers before leaving a location
• Act as tour guides for passengers, if necessary

Work Environment About this section

Some school bus drivers make multiple trips if schools in the district open at different times.

Bus drivers, school held about 365,300 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of bus drivers, school were as follows:

Bus drivers, transit and intercity held about 194,100 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of bus drivers, transit and intercity were as follows:

Driving through heavy traffic or bad weather and dealing with unruly passengers can be stressful for bus drivers.

Injuries and Illnesses

Transit and intercity bus drivers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Most injuries to bus drivers are due to vehicle accidents.

Work Schedules

Part-time work is common for bus drivers. Drivers’ schedules may vary and include early mornings, evenings, or weekends.

School bus drivers work only when school is in session, so their work hours are often limited. Some make multiple trips if schools in their district open and close at different times or if students need transportation to other activities.

Intercity and charter bus drivers may make a round trip and go home at the end of each shift. Others spend nights away from home on long-distance routes. The trip or route schedule dictates a driver’s hours.

Bus drivers who cross state lines must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) hours-of-service regulations. Bus drivers are allowed 10 hours of driving time and 15 hours of total on-duty time before they must rest for 8 consecutive hours. Weekly maximum restrictions also apply but may vary by employer schedule.

How to Become a Bus Driver About this section

All types of bus drivers have to obtain a CDL.

Bus drivers must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), which they sometimes earn during on-the-job training. They also need a good driving record and must meet physical, hearing, and vision requirements. In addition, bus drivers typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent and may be required to pass a background check.

Education

Bus drivers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.

Training

Bus drivers typically get on-the-job training. Those who already have a CDL may have a shorter training period. For part of the training, drivers may practice various maneuvers with a bus on a driving course. They then begin to drive in light traffic and eventually make practice runs on the type of route that they expect to drive. New drivers make trips with passengers while accompanied by an experienced driver who gives advice, answers questions, and evaluates the new driver's performance.

Some drivers’ training is also spent in the classroom. They learn their company’s rules and regulations, state and municipal traffic laws, and safe driving practices. Drivers also learn about schedules and bus routes, fares, and interacting with passengers.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

All bus drivers must have a CDL. Some new bus drivers earn their CDL during on-the-job training. Qualifications vary by state but generally include passing both knowledge and driving tests. States have the right not to issue a license to someone who has had a CDL suspended in another state.

Drivers can get endorsements for a CDL that reflect their ability to drive a special type of vehicle. All bus drivers must have a passenger (P) endorsement, and school bus drivers must also have a school bus (S) endorsement. Getting the P and S endorsements requires additional knowledge and driving tests administered by a certified examiner.

Many states require all bus drivers to be 18 years of age or older and those who drive across state lines to be at least 21 years old. Most bus drivers must pass a background check before they are hired. Check with your state agency for specific licensing requirements.

Federal regulations require interstate bus drivers to pass a physical exam every 2 years and to submit to random drug or alcohol testing. Most states impose similar regulations. Bus drivers may have their CDL suspended if they are convicted of a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle or of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Actions such as excessive speeding or reckless driving also may result in suspension.

Important Qualities

Customer-service skills. Bus drivers regularly interact with passengers and must be courteous and helpful.

Dependability. Passengers rely on bus drivers to pick them up on time and safely transport them to their destination.

Hand-eye coordination. Drivers must watch their surroundings and avoid obstacles and other hazards while operating a bus. Federal regulations require bus drivers to have normal use of their arms and legs.

Hearing ability. Bus drivers need good hearing. Federal regulations require them to be able to hear a forced whisper in one ear at 5 feet, with or without the use of a hearing aid.

Patience. Bus drivers must remain calm and composed when driving through heavy traffic and congestion or when dealing with unruly passengers.

Physical health. Bus drivers must be in good physical condition. Federal and state regulations do not allow people to become bus drivers if they have a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, that may interfere with the safe operation of a bus.

Visual ability. Bus drivers must be able to pass vision tests. Federal regulations require at least 20/40 vision with a 70-degree field of vision in each eye and the ability to distinguish colors on a traffic light.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for bus drivers, school was $45,660 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,380, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $61,320.

The median annual wage for bus drivers, transit and intercity was $60,170 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,630, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,660.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for bus drivers, school in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

In May 2023, the median annual wages for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Part-time work is common for bus drivers. Drivers’ schedules may vary and include early mornings, evenings, or weekends.

School bus drivers work only when school is in session, so their work hours are often limited. Some make multiple trips if schools in their district open and close at different times or if students need transportation to other activities.

Intercity and charter bus drivers may make a round trip and go home at the end of each shift. Others spend nights away from home on long-distance routes. The trip or route schedule dictates a driver’s hours.

Some passenger vehicle drivers receive tips. Those who provide good customer service are more likely to receive good tips than those whose customer-service skills are poor.

Bus drivers who cross state lines must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) hours-of-service regulations. Bus drivers are allowed 10 hours of driving time and 15 hours of total on-duty time before they must rest for 8 consecutive hours. Weekly maximum restrictions also apply but may vary by employer schedule.

Job Outlook About this section

Overall employment of bus drivers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 79,800 openings for bus drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Schools will continue to rely on school bus drivers to transport students. However, declining student enrollments in public and private schools over the decade are expected to constrain demand for these workers.

Employment of transit and intercity bus drivers is projected to increase as public authorities continue to upgrade their public transportation systems, such as by redesigning bus networks, expanding bus services, and rolling out bus rapid transit (BRT) systems. In addition, intercity bus travel should continue to grow because its inexpensive fares and passenger amenities, such as Wi-Fi, are expected to maintain its popularity as a transportation option.

An increasing population of older adults and people with disabilities will place demand on rural transit services, contributing to a need for drivers of these bus routes.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Bus drivers, school
• Bus drivers, transit and intercity

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about school bus drivers, visit

National School Transportation Association

National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services

For more information about transit bus drivers, visit

American Public Transportation Association

For more information about motorcoach drivers, visit

United Motorcoach Association

For more information about federal regulations for commercial bus drivers, visit

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 

Occupational Requirements Survey

For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see

Bus drivers, school (PDF)

O*NET

Bus Drivers, School

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity