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School bus driver: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$47,920median pay per year, or $23.04 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $29,240lowest 10% earn less
  2. $38,65025th percentile
  3. $47,920median
  4. $58,43075th percentile
  5. $65,730top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

School bus drivers had a median pay of $47,920 a year in May 2025, a little below the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. The job needs a high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training, plus a commercial driver's license[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+0.7%[6]
Openings per year
56,500[7]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[3]

How much do school bus drivers make?

The median wage for school bus drivers was $47,920 a year, or $23.04 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was $48,430 a year, or $23.28 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

Here is the spread of annual and hourly wages:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[5][9] $29,240 $14.06
25th[5][9] $38,650 $18.58
75th[5][9] $58,430 $28.09
90th[5][9] $65,730 $31.60

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $29,240, and the top 10% earned more than $65,730[5]. A percentile is a boundary. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses or benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 402,930 people worked as school bus drivers in May 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

State medians vary widely. Massachusetts ($65,170), Washington ($63,370), Connecticut ($61,520), California ($61,040) and New Jersey ($59,430) came first in the state list[13]. Alabama was last at $17,630, and Louisiana ($29,450) and Mississippi ($30,640) were near the bottom[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the top median, $75,230[14], was in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont ($73,680) and Mount Vernon-Anacortes ($72,070) came next[14].

The most jobs were in New York (38,320), Texas (37,550), Pennsylvania (23,670), Illinois (21,230) and Georgia (16,880)[15]. The metro areas with the most jobs were New York-Newark-Jersey City (29,280), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (15,210) and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell (11,190)[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Massachusetts[13]$65,1709,330
Washington$63,3709,660
Connecticut$61,5207,970
California$61,04016,600
New Jersey$59,43013,670
Hawaii$59,090630
Rhode Island$58,7001,800
New York$56,64038,320
Vermont$56,580860
Maryland$56,4509,020
District of Columbia$55,450510
Alaska$54,200790
Utah$52,8901,920
Colorado$52,6203,840
Oregon$51,2705,210
New Hampshire$50,9902,040
North Dakota$50,7901,530
Virginia$50,19012,930
Illinois$49,09021,230
Minnesota$48,94013,110
Maine$48,6401,670
Indiana$48,02011,780
Nebraska$47,7602,330
Wisconsin$47,7607,840
Pennsylvania$47,53023,670
Missouri$46,8808,970
Michigan$46,3808,780
Iowa$46,3204,840
Idaho$46,2502,960
Montana$46,2201,630
Arizona$46,0505,020
Kansas$45,8604,830
Ohio$45,8605,540
Wyoming$45,5201,360
Arkansas$45,5004,340
New Mexico$45,4701,870
Georgia$44,95016,880
Kentucky$44,8306,820
Florida$44,69013,470
Tennessee$44,5107,050
Texas$44,49037,550
Delaware$42,3901,350
South Carolina$39,9005,900
South Dakota$39,7301,290
North Carolina$37,46012,390
Nevada$37,2802,590
Oklahoma$36,9203,710
West Virginia$33,3604,690
Mississippi$30,6403,790
Louisiana$29,4506,670
Alabama$17,63010,410

How to become a school bus driver

The usual path needs a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience, and short-term on-the-job training[3]. The steps look like this:

Drivers who already hold a CDL may have a shorter training period[19]. Drivers also need a good driving record, must meet physical, hearing and vision requirements, and may have to pass a background check[21]. Check your state agency for its exact licensing rules[22].

In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 59% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, and 37% said less than a high school diploma[23].

The licensing and training details come from a Bureau of Labor Statistics profile that covers bus drivers as a wider group, not only school bus drivers[24].

What school bus drivers do

School bus drivers drive students to and from school and school activities, enforce safety rules, and may help students board or exit[25]. Typical tasks include:

Workers in O*NET report job titles such as school bus driver, school van driver and special education bus driver[27].

Where they work

Local elementary and secondary schools were the largest employer of bus drivers in 2025, at 48%[28]. Heavy traffic, bad weather and unruly passengers can make the job stressful[29]. For transit and intercity bus drivers, most injuries come from vehicle accidents[30].

Part-time work is common for bus drivers, and schedules can include early mornings, evenings or weekends[31]. School bus drivers are on the job only while school is in session, so hours are often limited[32]. Some make several trips when schools in a district open and close at different times, or when students need rides to other activities[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of school bus drivers to grow 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 396,800 to 399,700 jobs, a change of +2,900[6]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[33]. These counts include self-employed workers[6].

About 56,500 openings are projected each year on average[7]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[7]. Each year, 10.1% of workers leave the labor force and 4% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with an entry route that needs a high school diploma, short-term on-the-job training and a CDL with the right endorsements[3][4][18]. Median pay is a little under the all-occupations median[1][2]. Growth is slow, but openings are still projected each year[6][33][7]. Hours are tied to the school calendar and are often limited[32]. Pay depends a lot on the state, with medians from $17,630 to $65,170[13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a school bus driver make an hour?
The median was $23.04 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $23.28 an hour[1][8].
Do you need a CDL to drive a school bus?
All bus drivers need a CDL. School bus drivers also need passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements[4][18].
What education do you need to be a school bus driver?
The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with short-term on-the-job training[3].
Is school bus driver a growing job?
Employment is projected to grow 0.7% from 2025 to 2035[6], compared with 3.5% for all occupations[33]. About 56,500 openings are projected each year[7].
What is the highest paying state for school bus drivers?
Massachusetts had the highest median annual wage at $65,170 in May 2025, followed by Washington at $63,370[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Bus Drivers, School in the US was $47,920 per year and $23.04 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Bus Drivers, School: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  4. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Bus Drivers, School: 10th percentile $29,240, 25th percentile $38,650, 75th percentile $58,430, 90th percentile $65,730. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Bus Drivers, School is projected to grow 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 396,800 to 399,700 jobs (a change of +2,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 56,500 openings for Bus Drivers, School are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Bus Drivers, School was $48,430 per year and $23.28 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Bus Drivers, School: 10th percentile $14.06, 25th percentile $18.58, 75th percentile $28.09, 90th percentile $31.60. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 402,930 people were employed as Bus Drivers, School in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Bus Drivers, School in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Bus Drivers, School (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $75,230; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $73,680; Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $72,070; Bellingham, WA $69,640; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $66,880; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $66,380; Springfield, MA $65,730; Worcester, MA $65,640. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Bus Drivers, School jobs: New York 38,320; Texas 37,550; Pennsylvania 23,670; Illinois 21,230; Georgia 16,880. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Bus Drivers, School jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 29,280 (median $59,790); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 15,210 (median $49,180); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 11,190 (median $47,310); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 9,730 (median $43,570); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 9,030 (median $47,030); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 8,980 (median $51,960). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 53-3051.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 59%, Less than a High School Diploma 37% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Bus Drivers" covers Bus Drivers, School together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Bus Drivers, School. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Bus Drivers, School. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 53-3051.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Bus Drive Coordinator, Bus Driver Route Coordinator, CDL Bus Driver (Commercial Driver's License Bus Driver), Public School Bus Driver, School Bus Driver, School Van Driver, Shuttle Bus Driver, SPED Bus Driver (Special Education Bus Driver). O*NET OnLine
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of bus drivers in 2025: Elementary and secondary schools; local 48%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Bus Drivers, School: 10.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.