Bus Drivers, School

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

$48,370
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+1% projected 2024โ€“2034
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

School bus drivers transport students safely to and from school, extracurricular activities, and field trips along designated routes. They conduct pre-trip vehicle inspections each day, checking brakes, lights, tires, and emergency equipment to ensure everything functions properly. Behind the wheel, they navigate residential neighborhoods and busy streets while maintaining constant awareness of their young passengers and surrounding traffic. These drivers monitor student behavior through mirrors, enforce safety rules, and manage discipline issues while keeping their focus on the road. They operate the bus door and may assist younger children or students with disabilities in boarding and exiting safely. School bus drivers also maintain accurate records of routes, mileage, fuel consumption, and any incidents that occur. The job requires early morning starts and split shifts, with drivers typically working during morning and afternoon school hours. Successful school bus drivers possess excellent defensive driving skills, patience with children, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. They must make quick decisions in traffic while managing a vehicle full of students, making reliability and strong judgment essential qualities for this role.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Ground Transportation(certificate)Johnson County Community College, KS
$74,114
Ground Transportation(certificate)Fox Valley Technical College, WI
$67,999
Ground Transportation(certificate)Central Lakes College-Brainerd, MN
$64,164
Ground Transportation(associates)Northwest Iowa Community College, IA
$60,943
Ground Transportation(certificate)Community College of Allegheny County, PA
$59,330
Ground Transportation(certificate)Hagerstown Community College, MD
$53,495
Ground Transportation(certificate)Elgin Community College, IL
$51,945
Ground Transportation(certificate)New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts, MA
$51,761
Ground Transportation(certificate)New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island, RI
$51,761
Ground Transportation(certificate)State Technical College of Missouri, MO
$50,941
Ground Transportation(certificate)Waukesha County Technical College, WI
$50,682
Ground Transportation(certificate)Lincoln Land Community College, IL
$49,142
Ground Transportation(certificate)Alexandria Technical & Community College, MN
$48,587
Ground Transportation(certificate)Chattanooga State Community College, TN
$48,579
Ground Transportation(grad-cert)Schuylkill Technology Center, PA
$48,085
Ground Transportation(certificate)Northland Community and Technical College, MN
$47,879
Ground Transportation(certificate)Lake Superior College, MN
$47,879
Ground Transportation(certificate)Dakota County Technical College, MN
$47,879
Ground Transportation(certificate)Minnesota North College, MN
$47,879
Ground Transportation(certificate)Hamrick School, OH
$47,287
Ground Transportation(certificate)Minnesota State College Southeast, MN
$47,171
Ground Transportation(certificate)Bevill State Community College, AL
$47,167
Ground Transportation(certificate)Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute, PA
$46,909
Ground Transportation(certificate)Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute-Allentown, PA
$46,909
Ground Transportation(certificate)Miller-Motte College-Charleston, SC
$46,909

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