### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bus Drivers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			Bus driversMost bus drivers are school bus drivers.							
						Quick Facts:     Bus Drivers2023     Median Pay
            						$48,230     per year
										$23.19     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    See How to Become OneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    515,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    3% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    13,300What Bus Drivers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Bus drivers transport people between various places.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Part-time work is common for bus drivers. Drivers’ schedules may vary and include early mornings, evenings, or weekends. Many bus drivers work for schools, and they work only when schools are in session. Driving through heavy traffic or bad weather and dealing with unruly passengers can be stressful for bus drivers.
            
                                                How to Become a Bus Driver
                                                
                        
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.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for bus drivers, school was $45,660 in May 2023.									                                														The median annual wage for bus drivers, transit and intercity was $60,170 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of bus drivers is projected to grow							 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 76,400 openings for bus drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many 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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bus drivers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bus drivers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about bus drivers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Bus Drivers Do 
            

			Bus driversIntercity 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 publicThe 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
			bus drivers imageSome school bus drivers make multiple trips if schools in the district open at different times.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Bus drivers, school held about 358,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of bus drivers, school were as follows:
        Elementary and secondary schools; local
                51%School and employee bus transportation
                32Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                9Elementary and secondary schools; private
                2Other transit and ground passenger transportation
                1Bus drivers, transit and intercity held about 156,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of bus drivers, transit and intercity were as follows:
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                51%Urban transit systems
                15Charter bus industry
                7Other transit and ground passenger transportation
                5Interurban and rural bus transportation
                5Driving 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

			Bus driversAll 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

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                        Bus DriversMedian annual wages, May 2023Bus drivers, transit and intercity$60,170  Bus drivers$48,230  Total, all occupations$48,060  Motor vehicle operators$47,490  Bus drivers, school$45,660Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
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:	
        School and employee bus transportation
                $48,510Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                47,600Elementary and secondary schools; private
                41,700Elementary and secondary schools; local
                41,370Other transit and ground passenger transportation
                38,390In May 2023, the median annual wages for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                $65,970Urban transit systems
                50,490Interurban and rural bus transportation
                47,930Charter bus industry
                45,320Other transit and ground passenger transportation
                44,070Part-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

   
        
    
          
        
    
                       Bus DriversPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Motor vehicle operators7%  Bus drivers, transit and intercity5%  Total, all occupations3%  Bus drivers3%  Bus drivers, school1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of bus drivers is projected to grow				 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 76,400 openings for bus drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many 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 may constrain demand for these workers.
Employment of transit and intercity bus drivers is expected 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.
			

                        Employment projections data for     bus drivers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Bus drivers**
			—
			515,200
			528,500
			3
			13,300
			—**Bus drivers, school**
			53-3051
			358,800
			363,700
			1
			4,900
			Get data**Bus drivers, transit and intercity**
			53-3052
			156,400
			164,800
			5
			8,400
			Get data
 State & Area Data **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 OES 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.com. 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.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of bus drivers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers**
            Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $39,950**Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers**
            Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $54,320**Railroad Workers**
            Railroad workers ensure that passenger and freight trains operate safely. They may drive trains, coordinate the activities of the trains, or control signals and switches in the rail yard.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $73,580**Water Transportation Workers**
            Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water.
            See How to Become One
            $64,930**Taxi Drivers, Shuttle Drivers, and Chauffeurs**
            Taxi drivers (including ride-hailing drivers), shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs transport people to and from the places they need to go.
            No formal educational credential
            $35,180
 Contacts for More Information
								
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, SchoolBus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bus Drivers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/bus-drivers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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