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Bus Drivers, School
Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.
Other titles employers use
Bus Drive Coordinator · Bus Driver · CDL Bus Driver (Commercial Driver's License Bus Driver) · Public School Bus Driver · School Bus Driver · School Van Driver · Shuttle Bus Driver · SPED Bus Driver (Special Education Bus Driver)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Comply with traffic regulations to operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
- Follow safety rules as students board and exit buses or cross streets near bus stops.
- Check the condition of a vehicle's tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights, oil, fuel, water, and safety equipment to ensure that everything is in working order.
- Report any bus malfunctions or needed repairs.
- Pick up and drop off students at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations, following strict time schedules.
- Drive gasoline, diesel, or electrically powered multi-passenger vehicles to transport students between neighborhoods, schools, and school activities.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and helping work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Operations Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mechanical
Useful strengths
- Far Vision
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Reaction Time
- Depth Perception
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.0 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 1.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.1 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.4 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 97%
- A certificate or some college 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Operating system software
- Map creation software
- Internet browser software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 32,300
- Job openings each year
- 4,990
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 14.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 32,300 | 4,990 | 14.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 21,920 | 3,350 | 6.4% |
| California | 17,900 | 2,760 | 13.3% |
| Illinois | 17,880 | 2,730 | 3.4% |
| Florida | 15,420 | 2,380 | 13.0% |
| Georgia | 14,880 | 2,290 | 9.9% |
| Virginia | 13,580 | 2,060 | — |
| North Carolina | 12,550 | 1,930 | 8.2% |
| New Jersey | 11,080 | 1,680 | — |
| Indiana | 10,970 | 1,670 | 1.9% |
| Michigan | 10,660 | 1,620 | — |
| Alabama | 9,850 | 1,500 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 9,740 | 1,500 | 9.6% |
| Minnesota | 9,370 | 1,440 | 7.9% |
| Missouri | 8,430 | 1,280 | −1.1% |
| Wisconsin | 8,360 | 1,290 | 13.1% |
| Kentucky | 7,330 | 1,110 | — |
| Tennessee | 7,050 | 1,090 | 12.6% |
| Connecticut | 6,480 | 1,020 | 27.8% |
| South Carolina | 6,460 | 990 | 8.0% |
| Iowa | 5,920 | 910 | 8.6% |
| Colorado | 5,840 | 900 | 15.2% |
| Kansas | 5,820 | 890 | 6.0% |
| Ohio | 5,580 | 860 | 7.3% |
| Oregon | 5,500 | 850 | 13.2% |
| Arizona | 5,420 | 830 | 2.5% |
| Arkansas | 4,320 | 660 | 1.6% |
| Oklahoma | 4,040 | 620 | 4.9% |
| Massachusetts | 3,830 | 590 | 11.7% |
| Louisiana | 3,780 | 570 | 2.2% |
| Mississippi | 3,600 | 550 | 4.3% |
| West Virginia | 3,310 | 500 | 2.5% |
| Nevada | 2,910 | 450 | 9.0% |
| Nebraska | 2,400 | 370 | 3.9% |
| New Hampshire | 1,930 | 300 | 7.2% |
| Utah | 1,930 | 300 | 22.2% |
| Rhode Island | 1,810 | 280 | 8.4% |
| Maine | 1,780 | 270 | −1.1% |
| New Mexico | 1,750 | 270 | 5.4% |
| North Dakota | 1,690 | 260 | 9.7% |
| Wyoming | 1,610 | 250 | 8.8% |
| Montana | 1,500 | 230 | 2.7% |
| South Dakota | 1,370 | 210 | 5.4% |
| Delaware | 1,340 | 200 | 2.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 1,080 | 170 | 6.9% |
| Vermont | 920 | 140 | 9.5% |
| Alaska | 670 | 100 | 4.7% |
| District of Columbia | 310 | 50 | 3.3% |
| Virgin Islands | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
Career to college
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