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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.

For terms and definitions in this profile, see definitions of major terms.

Cognitive and mental requirements

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

In 2025, more than basic people skills were required for 9.4 percent of bus drivers, school. Basic people skills were required for 90.6 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of bus drivers, school with cognitive and mental requirements, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Work schedule varies	66.8	33.2
Ability to pause work (and take brief unscheduled breaks)	<0.5	>99.5
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework routinely allowed	<0.5	>99.5
Supervising others	<5	>95
Supervisor present in immediate work area	<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. The time associated with these requirements is combined to calculate the specific vocational preparation level needed for the job.

In 2025, prior work experience was required for less than 45 percent of bus drivers, school and on-the-job training was required for 71.0 percent.

Environmental conditions

The various hazards or difficulties that are in the area where workers perform their critical tasks.

In 2025, a quiet noise exposure was present for less than 0.5 percent of bus drivers, school. Another 82.5 percent were exposed to moderate noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by less than 5 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure and was not used by greater than 95 percent.

Physical demands

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

In 2025, speaking was required for greater than 99.5 percent of bus drivers, school and was not required for less than 0.5 percent. For 9.9 percent of workers, speaking was seldom required, for 84.8 percent speaking was occasionally required, for 4.9 percent speaking was frequently required, and for less than 0.5 percent speaking was required constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 82.5 percent of bus drivers, school and was not required for 17.5 percent.

On average, bus drivers, school spent 86.9 percent of the workday sitting and 13.1 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of bus drivers, school with physical demands, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Ability to choose to sit or stand for tasks	<0.5	>99.5
Driving	>99.5	<0.5
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	2.0	98.0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey