School Bus Driver

Your Fit

Income

$47K

Preparation

Some

Growth

1.4%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a School Bus Driver?

A School Bus Driver is responsible for safely transporting students to and from school, as well as to various school-related events. This role requires strict adherence to safety standards and the ability to manage student behavior during transit.

Sample job titles:

Bus Driver, School Bus Driver, Shuttle Bus Driver, Special Education Bus Driver

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with School Bus Driver.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a School Bus Driver earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$28K per year	$38K per year	$47K per year	$56K per year	$64K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $2.46K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a School Bus Driver do?

Work environment

School Bus Drivers typically work for school districts or private transportation companies. The job involves driving in various weather conditions and traffic situations. Drivers usually have a split shift, working mornings and afternoons with a break in between, and have weekends, holidays, and summer breaks off, aligning with the school calendar.

Quick task list

Transports students to and from school safely.
Maintains order and safety on the bus.
Conducts pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections.
Keeps the bus clean and reports maintenance issues.
Complies with all traffic and student transportation regulations.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Special Needs Transportation: Specializing in transporting students with disabilities, requiring additional training in special needs.
Field Trip and Event Transportation: Focusing on driving students to various events and field trips outside regular school hours.
Route Planning and Management: Specializing in optimizing bus routes and schedules for efficiency.
Training and Safety Compliance: Focusing on training new drivers and ensuring adherence to safety standards.

Description

Being a School Bus Driver is about more than just driving a bus; it's about being a reliable and safe presence in students' daily lives. Drivers must be skilled at navigating large vehicles through varying traffic and weather conditions, all while managing the behavior and safety of students on board. They need to be vigilant, patient, and have excellent driving skills.

Communication and interpersonal skills are also important, as drivers interact with students, parents, teachers, and school administrators. They must handle any disciplinary issues that arise on the bus and report serious incidents according to school policies. Drivers play a critical role in ensuring that students start and end their school day safely and positively.

This career is well-suited for individuals who enjoy working with children and have a strong sense of responsibility. It offers a predictable schedule that is aligned with the school year, providing significant time off during school vacations, which can be a major benefit.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Playing an important role in the safety and well-being of students.
Regular interaction with students and being part of their school experience.
A work schedule that aligns with the school calendar, offering more time off than many other jobs.

You might make a good School Bus Driver if you are...

Patient and enjoy working with children.
A skilled and safety-conscious driver.
Able to manage and maintain order among young passengers.
Looking for a job with a schedule that follows the school year.
Comfortable with early morning starts and split shifts.

Pros:

Rewarding work ensuring the safety of children.
Regular hours with no work during school holidays.
Opportunities for part-time work or a supplementary career.

Cons:

The challenge of managing student behavior while driving.
Early morning and split-shift schedules.
The responsibility of maintaining safety in all driving conditions.

How to become a School Bus Driver

Typical education

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Drivers must also have a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a passenger and school bus endorsement, which involves passing both a written and driving test.

High school preparation

Courses:

Driver's education for foundational driving skills.
First aid and CPR certification courses.
Courses in psychology or education to understand child behavior.
Mechanics or automotive classes for basic vehicle maintenance knowledge.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering with youth groups or school programs.
Participating in community service that involves working with children.
Gaining experience through part-time jobs that involve driving or transportation.

Preparation after high school

Obtaining a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with school bus and passenger endorsements.
Completing any additional training required by local school districts or transportation companies.
Gaining experience in driving larger vehicles.
Staying current with first aid and CPR certifications.

More resources

American School Bus Council - Provides information about school bus safety and operations.
National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) - Offers resources and training for school transportation professionals.
School Bus Safety Company - Specializes in training materials for school bus driver safety.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Training - Information on obtaining a CDL from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.