Who Earns What

How much does a school bus driver make?

US Bus Drivers, School
$47,920

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 know
This job$47,920
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $29,240 and $65,730
45 of 100
not many

How 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
Whole US$47,920
Massachusetts$65,170
Washington$63,370
Connecticut$61,520
California$61,040
New Jersey$59,430
Mississippi$30,640
Louisiana$29,450
Alabama$17,630

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

Jobs like this

Kids' questions

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
School bus driver pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) β€” Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$29,240$47,920$65,730about 403,000
States where school bus drivers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Massachusetts$65,170about 9,000
Washington$63,370about 10,000
Connecticut$61,520about 8,000
California$61,040about 17,000
New Jersey$59,430about 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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 Β· 1 USD = 150 JPY