School Bus Driver
Get students to school and home safely every day.
- $47,920
- 3–8 weeks
Transportation & Logistics career
School Bus Monitor
Also called: Bus Aide · Bus Attendant · School Bus Assistant · Special Needs Bus Aide
What school bus monitors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a school bus monitor do?
School bus monitors monitor and maintain order among students on school buses and help students with disabilities get on and off. The median pay is $35,100 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days to weeks, and employment is projected to grow -1.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$35,100$16.88/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-1.9%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year13,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few days to weeksTypical program length
- U.S. jobs76,700Employment, 2025
What school bus monitors do
School bus monitors keep kids safe on the ride. They help students board and exit, secure wheelchairs and car seats, manage behavior, help students with disabilities and support the driver in emergencies.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. Many jobs are part-time on a school schedule.
Typical duties
- Help students board and exit
- Secure wheelchairs and seats
- Manage behavior
- Assist students with disabilities
- Communicate with drivers
- Help in emergencies
- Report incidents
Work environment and schedule
Monitors work on school buses.
Schedule: Part-time split shifts on the school calendar.
A day in the life
- Check in at the bus yard.
- Check safety equipment.
- Ride the morning route.
- Secure a wheelchair.
See a full day in the life of a school bus monitor →
School Bus Monitor salary
Half of school bus monitors earned more than $35,100 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $28,130 for the lowest 10% to $43,250 for the top 10%.
Full school bus monitor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a school bus monitor
- Finish high school
- Pass a background check
- Complete training
- Ride routes
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a school bus monitor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Student supervision
- Wheelchair securement
- Behavior management
- Emergency procedures
- First aid
People skills
- Patience
- Calm
- Kindness
- Firmness
All school bus monitor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- School schedule
- Help kids
- Short training
- Summers off
Cons
- Split shifts
- Behavior challenges
- Low pay
- Part-time hours
Certifications and licenses
- Monitor training: District.
- CPR and first aid: Common.
- Background check: Required.
- Special needs transport training: Helpful.
Career path
- Bus Monitor: Entry.
- Special Needs Aide: Specialize.
- School Bus Driver: Drive.
- Transportation Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our School Bus Monitor training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as secure a wheelchair on a school bus and manage behavior on a school bus, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
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Childcare Worker
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Passenger Attendant
Help passengers on trains, buses, ships and in airports.
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Compare: School Bus Monitor vs. School Bus Driver · School Bus Monitor vs. Teacher Assistant · School Bus Monitor vs. Childcare Worker · School Bus Monitor vs. Passenger Attendant
School Bus Monitor FAQ
Do monitors need a license?
No, but they pass background checks.
Is it part-time?
Usually.
Do monitors work summers?
Usually not.
How much does a school bus monitor make?
The median annual wage for school bus monitors was $35,100 ($16.88 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $28,130 and the highest 10% earned more than $43,250.
How long does it take to become a school bus monitor?
Most people need about A few days to weeks of training. A high school diploma and short-term training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a school bus monitor?
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 monitor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 33-9094 (School bus monitors).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for School bus monitors (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.