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Bus operator: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$59,050median pay per year, or $28.39 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $40,030lowest 10% earn less
  2. $47,53025th percentile
  3. $59,050median
  4. $70,70075th percentile
  5. $84,700top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Transit and intercity bus drivers earned a median of $59,050 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+4.1%[2]
Openings per year
21,100[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do bus operators make?

The median wage for the BLS category Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity was $59,050 a year, or $28.39 an hour, in May 2025[1]. The median for all occupations was $50,980, so this job paid more than the typical US worker[4]. The average was $60,280 a year[7].

A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages instead of a starting salary[8].

Point Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][9] $40,030 $19.25
25th percentile[3][9] $47,530 $22.85
Median[1] $59,050 $28.39
75th percentile[3][9] $70,700 $33.99
90th percentile[3][9] $84,700 $40.72

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $40,030 a year[3].

These figures cover people paid a wage or salary, part time or full time. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 159,240 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

BLS published medians for 50 states and the District of Columbia[12]. New York was first at $84,480 a year, followed by Washington at $72,280, Hawaii at $68,500 and California at $67,130[12]. Arkansas was last at $37,520[12].

California had the most jobs at 24,380, followed by New York at 16,770 and Texas at 11,600[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas had the highest median at $90,460, then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at $83,430 and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro at $80,170[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 19,770, with a median of $78,130[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
New York[12]$84,48016,770
Washington$72,2806,960
Hawaii$68,5002,190
California$67,13024,380
Oregon$65,5102,620
Massachusetts$65,4603,970
Maryland$65,2204,890
Illinois$65,2008,650
Alaska$64,150250
Colorado$63,0103,540
Ohio$62,7604,000
Nevada$61,7002,540
New Jersey$61,1406,420
Missouri$60,6601,860
Delaware$60,510380
Connecticut$60,1001,830
Indiana$58,4102,130
Maine$57,870470
District of Columbia$55,580150
New Hampshire$54,830300
Kentucky$54,5502,570
Arizona$53,8703,240
Vermont$53,830440
Virginia$52,9403,800
Wisconsin$52,6602,220
Pennsylvania$51,3604,710
Utah$50,7301,230
Oklahoma$50,3001,760
Minnesota$50,2002,610
Idaho$49,000520
North Dakota$48,890250
Louisiana$48,8601,490
Texas$48,74011,600
Rhode Island$48,61070
Florida$48,3009,130
Tennessee$47,7701,970
Michigan$47,6603,620
Iowa$45,8901,560
Montana$45,640450
Wyoming$45,630130
New Mexico$45,610580
Georgia$45,5003,700
Nebraska$45,120460
North Carolina$44,0602,900
South Carolina$43,330630
South Dakota$41,590410
Kansas$41,340430
West Virginia$39,260520
Mississippi$38,570400
Alabama$37,700960
Arkansas$37,520570

How to become a bus operator

BLS describes the typical path into this occupation like this[6]:

In an O*NET survey of 30 workers, 84% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, and 13% said less than a high school diploma[16].

The details below come from a BLS profile on bus drivers, which covers a wider group than this page[17]. Drivers must hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), and some earn it during on-the-job training[18][19]. Qualifications vary by state but generally include knowledge and driving tests[19]. All bus drivers need a passenger endorsement, which takes additional tests from a certified examiner[20]. Drivers also need a good driving record, may be required to pass a background check, and must meet physical, hearing and vision requirements[18].

Training is mostly on the job. Drivers who already have a CDL may train for a shorter time[21]. Practice on a driving course comes first, then light traffic, then practice runs on a route. New drivers then make trips with passengers while an experienced driver rides along[21]. Some training happens in a classroom, covering company rules, traffic laws and safe driving[22].

What bus operators do

Bus operators drive a bus or motor coach on regular routes, charters or private carriage. Some help with baggage or collect fares[23]. O*NET lists these tasks[24]:

Workers report titles such as transit bus driver, coach operator and motor coach driver[25]. Customer service and dependability matter, since passengers rely on drivers to arrive on time and safely[26][27].

Where they work

Local government, excluding education and hospitals, was the largest employer in 2025 at 54%[28]. BLS notes that heavy traffic, bad weather and unruly passengers can make the job stressful[29]. Transit and intercity drivers have some of the highest injury and illness rates among all occupations, and vehicle accidents cause most of the injuries[30].

Part-time work is common, and schedules may include early mornings, evenings or weekends[31]. Intercity and charter drivers may return home after each shift, while others spend nights away on long routes[32]. Drivers who cross state lines follow federal hours-of-service rules, which allow 10 hours of driving and 15 hours on duty before 8 hours of rest[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of transit and intercity bus drivers to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 166,400 jobs to 173,300[2]. These counts include the self-employed, who were 1.7% of workers in 2025[2][34]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[35].

About 21,100 openings a year are projected on average[5]. Openings also come from workers who retire or switch to other work, not only from new jobs[5]. Each year, 7.9% of workers leave the labor force and 4.1% move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with pay above the all-occupations median[1][4] and growth a little above the all-occupations rate[2][35]. Entry needs a high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training[6], plus a CDL and passenger endorsement[19][20]. The work can be stressful and has a high injury rate[29][30], and schedules can include early, evening or weekend hours[31]. People who are comfortable with those conditions and with serving passengers may find it a match[26].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a bus operator make an hour?
The median wage was $28.39 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $19.25 and the 90th percentile was $40.72[9].
What do you need to become a bus driver?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training as the typical path[6]. A BLS profile covering a wider group says drivers must have a CDL and a passenger endorsement[17][19][20].
How long does it take to become a bus operator?
Training is on the job and BLS calls it moderate-term[6]. Drivers who already have a CDL may have a shorter training period[21].
Is bus driver a job in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][35]. About 21,100 openings a year are projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for bus operators?
New York was first among 50 states and DC with published data, at a median of $84,480 a year[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the US was $59,050 per year and $28.39 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity is projected to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 166,400 to 173,300 jobs (a change of +6,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity: 10th percentile $40,030, 25th percentile $47,530, 75th percentile $70,700, 90th percentile $84,700. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 21,100 openings for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity 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
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity was $60,280 per year and $28.98 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. 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
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity: 10th percentile $19.25, 25th percentile $22.85, 75th percentile $33.99, 90th percentile $40.72. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. 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
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 159,240 people were employed as Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity jobs: California 24,380; New York 16,770; Texas 11,600; Florida 9,130; Illinois 8,650. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity (areas with at least 100 jobs): Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $90,460; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $83,430; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $80,170; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,900; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $78,130; Columbus, OH $73,790; Salinas, CA $71,290; Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $70,700. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 19,770 (median $78,130); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10,140 (median $68,020); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 7,080 (median $65,200); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 5,540 (median $78,900); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 4,430 (median $83,430); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 4,070 (median $65,220). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 53-3052.00 survey of workers (30 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 84%, Less than a High School Diploma 13% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Bus Drivers" covers Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 53-3052.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Bus Driver, Bus Operator, Charter Bus Driver, Coach Operator, Motor Coach Driver, Motor Coach Operator, Transit Bus Driver, Transit Coach Operator. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of bus drivers in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 54%. 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. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: 1.7% of Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity: 7.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. 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.