How much does a school bus driver make?
a year Β· about $23 an hour
A typical school bus driver in the United States makes $47,920 a year, about $23 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Before dawn, they inspect the bus, then follow a neighborhood route, stopping to pick up children and help them board safely. After school, they drive children home or to activities, keep order, and report bus problems.
Did you know? Fewer than 1% of U.S. traffic deaths involve children riding in school transportation vehicles; NHTSA calls school buses among the safest vehicles on the road.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $29,240 and $65,730How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school and meet your state's age and safety rules (18 in Pennsylvania; 21 in Illinois). Get a learner's permit, complete required training, and pass the CDL skills and passenger and school-bus endorsement tests.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, location, and whether someone works for a school district or a bus company. Many jobs are part-time and follow the school calendar, so hours and extra trips matter; added qualifications or more complex duties can also affect pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($65,170), lowest in Alabama ($17,630).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Kids' questions
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $29,240 | $47,920 | $65,730 | about 403,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $65,170 | about 9,000 |
| Washington | $63,370 | about 10,000 |
| Connecticut | $61,520 | about 8,000 |
| California | $61,040 | about 17,000 |
| New Jersey | $59,430 | about 14,000 |
Official definition: Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly Γ 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes Β· O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/bus-drivers.htm
- www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers
- www.pa.gov/services/dmv/become-a-school-bus-driver
- www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers-license/cdl/schoolbus.html
- www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 Β· 1 USD = 150 JPY