Career comparison
School Bus Driver vs. Teacher Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
School bus drivers earn more at the median ($47,920 vs. $36,780), while school bus drivers usually get to work faster (3–8 weeks of training). School bus drivers get students to school and home safely every day. Teacher assistants support teachers and help students learn in classrooms.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| School Bus Driver | Teacher Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,920 ($23.04/hr) | $36,780 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $29,240 – $65,730 | $27,150 – $50,040 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.7% (little or no change) | -0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 56,500 | 176,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Some college, no degree |
| Training time | 3–8 weeks | Weeks to 2 years depending on the district |
| Key credential | CDL Class B or C | ParaPro Assessment |
| Work setting | Drivers work in large buses on city, suburban and rural roads in all weather. | Teacher assistants work in schools, in classrooms, special education rooms, cafeterias and playgrounds.. |
What each job does
School Bus Driver
- 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
Teacher Assistant
- Work with small groups and individual students
- Reinforce lessons taught by the teacher
- Support students with disabilities
- Supervise students at lunch, recess and transitions
- Prepare classroom materials
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, helping others, steady routines, and in-demand. They sit in different fields, transportation & logistics and education & childcare, but share transferable skills such as patience and patience.
Which should you choose?
Choose school bus driver if…
- I like working with kids
- I can stay calm with noise and distractions
- I’m a careful, defensive driver
Choose teacher assistant if…
- I want to help students learn
- I’m patient
- I like teamwork
Still torn? Take the School Bus Driver fit quiz and the Teacher Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, school bus driver or teacher assistant?
School Bus Drivers earn more at the median: $47,920 versus $36,780 for teacher assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
School Bus Drivers typically train faster (3–8 weeks) than teacher assistants (Weeks to 2 years depending on the district).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects school bus drivers to grow +0.7% from 2025–35, compared with -0.3% for teacher assistants.