Transportation & Logistics career

School Bus Driver

Also called: Bus Driver · Student Transportation Driver · School Bus Operator · Activity Bus Driver

What school bus drivers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a school bus driver do?

School bus drivers transport students to and from school and activities, inspecting their buses, following safety procedures at stops and railroad crossings, and managing student behavior. The median pay is $47,920 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–8 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +0.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $47,920
    $23.04/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +0.7%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    56,500
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    3–8 weeks
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    396,800
    Employment, 2025

What school bus drivers do

School bus drivers are trusted with one of a community’s most important jobs: getting children to school and back safely. They inspect the bus, drive morning and afternoon routes, load and unload students using warning lights and stop arms, cross railroad tracks with special procedures, and keep order on the bus. Many also drive for field trips and sports.

Drivers need a commercial driver’s license with passenger and school bus endorsements, and federal Entry-Level Driver Training is required before testing for those endorsements. Many districts and contractors pay for training. The split schedule suits people who want afternoons free or a second job.

Typical duties

  • Inspect the bus before and after each route
  • Drive assigned routes on schedule
  • Load and unload students safely at stops
  • Follow railroad crossing and danger zone procedures
  • Manage student behavior and report incidents
  • Assist students with disabilities as needed
  • Keep the bus clean and report mechanical problems

Work environment and schedule

Drivers work in large buses on city, suburban and rural roads in all weather. The job involves sitting for long periods, managing noise and behavior and staying alert to traffic around stops.

Schedule: Most drivers work split shifts during the school year, with free midday hours and summers off. Activity trips add evening and weekend hours.

A day in the life

  1. Complete the pre-trip inspection: lights, stop arm, brakes, tires and emergency exits.
  2. Start the morning route, activating warning lights at each stop.
  3. Stop, open the door and look and listen at a railroad crossing.
  4. Unload students at school and check the bus for anyone left behind.

See a full day in the life of a school bus driver →

School Bus Driver salary

Half of school bus drivers earned more than $47,920 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $29,240 for the lowest 10% to $65,730 for the top 10%.

Full school bus driver pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a school bus driver

  1. Meet requirements
  2. Get a learner’s permit
  3. Complete Entry-Level Driver Training
  4. Pass the CDL skills test
  5. Grow

A high school diploma is typical. Drivers need a CDL (usually Class B) with P and S endorsements, complete Entry-Level Driver Training, pass background checks and meet state school bus training requirements.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a school bus driver →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Large vehicle operation
  • Pre-trip inspection
  • Student loading and unloading procedures
  • Railroad crossing procedures
  • Defensive driving

People skills

  • Patience
  • Calm authority
  • Reliability
  • Communication with parents and staff

All school bus driver skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Paid CDL training at many districts
  • Summers and holidays off
  • Split shift frees up midday
  • Meaningful role in the community

Cons

  • Managing student behavior
  • Split shifts and early mornings
  • Responsibility for children’s safety
  • Limited summer income for some

Certifications and licenses

  • CDL Class B or C: Commercial license for large passenger vehicles.
  • P and S endorsements: Passenger and school bus endorsements.
  • DOT medical card: Required medical certification.
  • State school bus driver certification: State-specific training and annual refreshers.

Career path

  1. School Bus Driver: Drive daily routes and trips.
  2. Driver Trainer: Train new drivers.
  3. Route Planner or Dispatcher: Plan routes and coordinate buses.
  4. Transportation Supervisor or Director: Lead district transportation.

Learn the job before day one

Our School Bus Driver training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as unload students at a stop and cross a railroad track in a school bus, safety and how to land your first job.

View School Bus Driver trainingIs this career right for me?

Transit Bus Driver

Drive city and intercity buses that get people to work, school and home.

  • $59,050
  • 6–10 weeks

Truck Driver

Haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.

  • $58,640
  • 3–7 weeks

Delivery Driver

Deliver packages and goods to homes and businesses on a daily route.

  • $44,860
  • 1–2 weeks

Teacher Assistant

Support teachers and help students learn in classrooms.

  • $36,780
  • Weeks to 2 years depending on the district

Compare: School Bus Driver vs. Transit Bus Driver · School Bus Driver vs. Truck Driver · School Bus Driver vs. Delivery Driver · School Bus Driver vs. Teacher Assistant

School Bus Driver FAQ

Do I need a CDL to drive a school bus?

Yes, with P and S endorsements.

Will the district pay for training?

Many districts and contractors provide paid training.

Do school bus drivers get summers off?

Usually, though some drive summer programs.

How much does a school bus driver make?

The median annual wage for school bus drivers was $47,920 ($23.04 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $29,240 and the highest 10% earned more than $65,730.

How long does it take to become a school bus driver?

Most people need about 3–8 weeks of training. A high school diploma is typical. Drivers need a CDL (usually Class B) with P and S endorsements, complete Entry-Level Driver Training, pass background checks and meet state school bus training requirements.

Do you need a degree to be a school bus driver?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More school bus driver questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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