Career comparison
School Bus Driver vs. Truck Driver
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Truck drivers earn more at the median ($58,640 vs. $47,920), while truck drivers usually get to work faster (3–7 weeks of training). School bus drivers get students to school and home safely every day. Truck drivers haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| School Bus Driver | Truck Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,920 ($23.04/hr) | $58,640 ($28.19/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $29,240 – $65,730 | $40,140 – $79,380 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.7% (little or no change) | +3.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 56,500 | 214,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 3–8 weeks | 3–7 weeks |
| Key credential | CDL Class B or C | CDL Class A |
| Work setting | Drivers work in large buses on city, suburban and rural roads in all weather. | Drivers spend most of the day in the truck cab, sometimes loading or unloading at docks. |
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
Truck Driver
- Inspect trucks and trailers before and after trips
- Plan routes considering weight, height, traffic and weather
- Drive safely while following traffic laws and federal regulations
- Record hours of service with an electronic logging device (ELD)
- Secure cargo and verify loads against shipping documents
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working independently, steady routines, high responsibility, and working outdoors. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
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 truck driver if…
- I like working independently
- I enjoy driving and don’t mind long hours on the road
- I want to start earning within a couple of months
Still torn? Take the School Bus Driver fit quiz and the Truck Driver fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, school bus driver or truck driver?
Truck Drivers earn more at the median: $58,640 versus $47,920 for school bus drivers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Truck Drivers typically train faster (3–7 weeks) than school bus drivers (3–8 weeks).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects truck drivers to grow +3.8% from 2025–35, compared with +0.7% for school bus drivers.