Career comparison
Transit Bus Driver vs. Truck Driver
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Transit bus drivers earn more at the median ($59,050 vs. $58,640), while truck drivers usually get to work faster (3–7 weeks of training). Transit bus drivers drive city and intercity buses that get people to work, school and home. 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
| Transit Bus Driver | Truck Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $59,050 ($28.39/hr) | $58,640 ($28.19/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $40,030 – $84,700 | $40,140 – $79,380 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.1% (about as fast as average) | +3.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 21,100 | 214,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 6–10 weeks | 3–7 weeks |
| Key credential | CDL Class B | CDL Class A |
| Work setting | Operators drive in city traffic, on highways and in all weather. | Drivers spend most of the day in the truck cab, sometimes loading or unloading at docks. |
What each job does
Transit Bus Driver
- 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
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, and high responsibility. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose transit bus driver if…
- I like helping people get where they need to go
- I stay calm with difficult people
- I’m a careful 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 Transit Bus Driver fit quiz and the Truck Driver fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, transit bus driver or truck driver?
Transit Bus Drivers earn more at the median: $59,050 versus $58,640 for truck drivers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Truck Drivers typically train faster (3–7 weeks) than transit bus drivers (6–10 weeks).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects transit bus drivers to grow +4.1% from 2025–35, compared with +3.8% for truck drivers.