Bus Drivers, School

SOC code 53-3051 · O*NET-SOC 53-3051.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation

Bus Drivers, School pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$47,920

a year

Hourly

$23.04

per hour

10th$29,240Median$47,92090th$65,730

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$48,430

$23.28 per hour

Middle 50%

$38,650 – $58,430

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$29,240 – $65,730

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

402,930

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $29,240; $14.06/hr
25th percentile: $38,650; $18.58/hr
Median percentile: $47,920; $23.04/hr
75th percentile: $58,430; $28.09/hr
90th percentile: $65,730; $31.60/hr

What do bus drivers, school do?

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

The tasks that matter most 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.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 59% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)59%
Less than a High School Diploma37%
Post-Secondary Certificate3%

Common questions

How much does a bus drivers, school earn?

The national median is $47,920 a year. The full range runs from $29,240 at the 10th percentile to $65,730 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a bus drivers, school without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.4/5
Critical Thinking3.4/5
Monitoring3.4/5
Speaking3.1/5
Reading Comprehension3.0/5

Knowledge areas

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
Geography3.0/5
Personnel and Human Resources2.7/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Operations Monitoring, Coordination, Service Orientation, Operation and Control.