How much does a school bus driver make?
Answer: A typical school bus driver in the United States makes $47,920 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 403,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
School bus driver pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| 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 |
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.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a school bus driver do?
Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
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.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Transportation and Material Moving jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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 × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · 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 · 1 USD = 150 JPY