Bus Driver salary

The median pay for a bus driver nationally is $28.39 an hour — about $59,050 a year full time. That figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for U.S. (2025). Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.

Most bus drivers nationally earn between $19.25 an hour and $40.72 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.

Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $19.25 an hour. A quarter of bus drivers earn below $22.85 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band.

The top 10% of bus drivers nationally earn about $40.72 an hour or more, roughly 1.4× the median. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — advanced certification, supervisory responsibility, or specialising in higher-paying work.

Bus drivers transport passengers on school, transit or charter routes. It requires a commercial licence with passenger endorsement, and school routes in particular suit people wanting split shifts. Day to day, that means drive a fixed or assigned route safely, manage passenger boarding and conduct, perform pre-trip vehicle inspections and keep to a timetable.

The usual route is: (1) apply to districts or transit authorities that train new drivers, (2) obtain your CDL with P and S endorsements — often employer-funded, (3) complete route and safety training, (4) move to full-time transit or charter work for higher pay. Employers typically look for CDL with passenger (P) endorsement; school bus (S) endorsement for school routes, DOT medical certificate and background check — mandatory for school work.

Yes. Working as a bus driver requires formal certification or licensing — specifically CDL with passenger (P) endorsement; school bus (S) endorsement for school routes and DOT medical certificate. Requirements are set at state level in most cases, so check your own state's rules before committing to a programme.

There are currently 2 open bus drivers listed on LocalWork. School districts and transit authorities recruit persistently, and many will fund your licence because the shortage is long-running.

Frequently, yes. School districts and transit authorities commonly cover CDL training and endorsement costs for new hires because the shortage is persistent. It is worth asking about directly — it is one of the few licensed roles you can often enter at no cost.