School Bus Driver
Get students to school and home safely every day.
- $47,920
- 3–8 weeks
Transportation & Logistics career
Transit Bus Driver
Also called: Bus Operator · City Bus Driver · Motor Coach Operator · Intercity Bus Driver
What transit 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.
What does a transit bus driver do?
Transit and intercity bus drivers operate buses on fixed routes and schedules, pick up and drop off passengers, collect fares, help riders with disabilities and drive safely through traffic. The median pay is $59,050 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–10 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +4.1% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$59,050$28.39/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.1%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year21,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train6–10 weeksTypical program length
- U.S. jobs166,400Employment, 2025
What transit bus drivers do
Transit bus operators keep cities moving. They drive fixed routes on schedules, pick up and drop off passengers, collect fares or monitor fare systems, deploy ramps and secure wheelchairs, answer questions and handle situations calmly. Intercity and motor coach drivers carry passengers between cities and on charter and tour trips.
Drivers need a CDL with a passenger endorsement, and transit agencies usually provide several weeks of paid training. Public transit jobs often come with union representation, pensions and strong benefits, which makes them attractive long-term careers.
Typical duties
- Inspect the bus before service
- Drive routes safely and on schedule
- Board and alight passengers at stops
- Collect fares and monitor fare equipment
- Deploy ramps and secure wheelchairs
- Give directions and customer service
- Report incidents, delays and mechanical issues
Work environment and schedule
Operators drive in city traffic, on highways and in all weather. The job involves sitting for long periods, dealing with the public and staying alert to pedestrians and cyclists.
Schedule: Shifts include early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays and split shifts. New operators usually start on less desirable shifts and pick better runs by seniority.
A day in the life
- Report to the garage, check in with the dispatcher and receive the bus assignment.
- Complete the pre-trip inspection, including the wheelchair ramp.
- Start the route, kneeling the bus at stops for older riders.
- Secure a wheelchair user and help with the fare.
See a full day in the life of a transit bus driver →
Transit Bus Driver salary
Half of transit bus drivers earned more than $59,050 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $40,030 for the lowest 10% to $84,700 for the top 10%.
Full transit bus driver pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a transit bus driver
- Meet requirements
- Apply to a transit agency or coach company
- Complete paid training
- Drive extra-board shifts
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical. Drivers need a CDL with a passenger endorsement and must complete Entry-Level Driver Training. Transit agencies provide paid training, often six to ten weeks.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a transit bus driver →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Large vehicle operation
- Defensive driving
- Schedule adherence
- Fare system operation
- ADA passenger assistance
People skills
- Customer service
- Patience
- Conflict de-escalation
- Reliability
All transit bus driver skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Paid training and CDL
- Strong benefits and pensions at many agencies
- Union representation
- Steady public service career
Cons
- Difficult passengers at times
- Shift work and seniority-based schedules
- Traffic stress
- Sitting for long periods
Certifications and licenses
- CDL Class B: Commercial license for buses.
- P endorsement: Passenger endorsement.
- DOT medical card: Required medical certification.
- De-escalation training: Training in handling conflict safely.
Career path
- Bus Operator Trainee: Earn your CDL and learn routes.
- Bus Operator: Drive routes and build seniority.
- Trainer or Road Supervisor: Train and supervise operators.
- Dispatcher or Transit Manager: Lead operations.
Learn the job before day one
Our Transit Bus Driver training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as secure a wheelchair on a transit bus and pull into a bus stop safely, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Truck Driver
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Delivery Driver
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Compare: Transit Bus Driver vs. School Bus Driver · Transit Bus Driver vs. Truck Driver · Transit Bus Driver vs. Delivery Driver · Transit Bus Driver vs. Freight Dispatcher
Transit Bus Driver FAQ
Do transit agencies pay for CDL training?
Many do, often paying trainees during training.
Is a transit job a good career?
Many offer strong benefits, pensions and union protections.
What shifts do new drivers work?
Usually less desirable shifts until seniority builds.
How much does a transit bus driver make?
The median annual wage for transit bus drivers was $59,050 ($28.39 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,030 and the highest 10% earned more than $84,700.
How long does it take to become a transit bus driver?
Most people need about 6–10 weeks of training. A high school diploma is typical. Drivers need a CDL with a passenger endorsement and must complete Entry-Level Driver Training. Transit agencies provide paid training, often six to ten weeks.
Do you need a degree to be a transit bus driver?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More transit bus driver questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-3052 (Bus drivers, transit and intercity).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Bus drivers, transit and intercity (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.