Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.
Bus Drivers, School
SOC: 53-3051 O*NET: 53-3051.00
Median Salary
$47,040
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
61
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.
What does a Bus Drivers, School do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$27,680
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,490
25th percentile
Median
$47,040
50th percentile
Experienced
$56,140
75th percentile
Top Earners
$63,810
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,680
25th
$37,490
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,040
Mean: $46,660
75th
$56,140
90th
$63,810
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $36,130 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,490 and $56,140
- •Salary spread is 39.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 387,920 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:387,300
Top Industries
Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation36.8%
School and Employee Bus Transportation35%
Educational Services2.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.2%
Annual Openings:61,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)387,300
Current
2034 (Projected)388,200
+0.2%
+900
Employment Change
+0.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Bus Drivers, School professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
New York
37,520 jobs$56,5101.56x
Texas
34,320 jobs$42,7800.99x
Pennsylvania
23,580 jobs$45,7101.56x
Illinois
20,060 jobs$49,7601.31x
Georgia
16,350 jobs$37,5101.34x
California
14,580 jobs$58,2800.32x
Virginia
13,530 jobs$48,6001.32x
Florida
12,730 jobs$39,1700.52x
New Jersey
12,200 jobs$59,1401.14x
North Carolina
11,960 jobs$36,6200.97x
Minnesota
10,860 jobs$49,6001.48x
Indiana
10,700 jobs$47,0701.33x
Massachusetts
10,240 jobs$63,0301.12x
Washington
9,420 jobs$60,2501.06x
Wisconsin
9,000 jobs$47,4801.22x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
92%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
78%
#5
Speaking
70%
#6
Operations Monitoring
62%
#7
Service Orientation
56%
#8
Reading Comprehension
48%
#9
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.9
78%
Speaking
intermediate3.5
70%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.1
62%
Service Orientation
basic2.8
56%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Radiation Therapists90%
5 shared skills
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians90%
5 shared skills
Nursing Assistants89%
5 shared skills
Parking Enforcement Workers80%
5 shared skills
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping80%
5 shared skills
Musicians and Singers78%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Service Orientation
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Bus Drivers, School
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Windows
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Management & Supervision (1)
1
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Comply with traffic regulations to operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Drive gasoline, diesel, or electrically powered multi-passenger vehicles to transport students between neighborhoods, schools, and school activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Escort small children across roads and highways.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Follow safety rules as students board and exit buses or cross streets near bus stops.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Keep bus interiors clean for students.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain knowledge of first-aid procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Maintain order among students during trips to ensure safety.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Make minor repairs to vehicles.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Pick up and drop off students at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations, following strict time schedules.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Bus Drivers, School
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Bus Drivers, School professionals typically have a RCS Holland code
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Bus Drivers, School
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.60
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.29
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.14
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.12
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.09
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.08
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Integrity
4.1
Attention to Detail
4.1
Self-Control
4.1
Concern for Others
4.1
Independence
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Social Orientation
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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