Transportation & Logistics
Bus Drivers, School
Also called: Bus Drive Coordinator, Bus Driver Route Coordinator, CDL Bus Driver (Commercial Driver's License Bus Driver), Public School Bus Driver
US median pay
$47,920
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+0.7%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
56,500
396,800 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.
What they do day to day
- Comply with traffic regulations to operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
- Follow safety rules as students board and exit buses or cross streets near bus stops.
- Check the condition of a vehicle's tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights, oil, fuel, water, and safety equipment to ensure that everything is in working order.
- Report any bus malfunctions or needed repairs.
- Pick up and drop off students at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations, following strict time schedules.
- Escort small children across roads and highways.
- Drive gasoline, diesel, or electrically powered multi-passenger vehicles to transport students between neighborhoods, schools, and school activities.
- Maintain order among students during trips to ensure safety.
- Maintain knowledge of first-aid procedures.
- Prepare and submit reports that may include the number of students or trips, hours worked, mileage, or fuel consumption.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.2/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Operation and Control2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Troubleshooting2.4/5
Knowledge
- Transportation4.5/5
- Public Safety and Security4.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Mechanical3.2/5
- Law and Government3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma59%
- Less than high school37%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.