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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Bus drivers, school

Man driving a bus.

Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2024, more than basic people skills were required for 18.8 percent of bus drivers, school, and basic people skills were required for 81.2 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of bus drivers, school with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	66.9	33.1
Pace: Pause control	<0.5	>99.5
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework	<0.5	>99.5
Work review: Supervising others	<10	>90
Work review: Presence of supervisor	<0.5	>99.5
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

In 2024, prior work experience was required for less than 5 percent of bus drivers, school.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, greater than 99.5 percent of bus drivers, school were not exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. Heavy vibrations were not present for greater than 99.5 percent, and 2.6 percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2024, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 88.5 percent of bus drivers, school and was not required for 11.5 percent. For 17.0 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, for 70.8 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred occasionally, less than 5 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 90.0 percent of bus drivers, school and was not required for 10.0 percent.

On average, bus drivers, school spent 85.5 percent of the workday sitting and 14.5 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of bus drivers, school with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Choice of sitting or standing	<0.5	>99.5
Driving	>99.5	<0.5
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	<5	>95
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey