Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
SOC: 53-3052 O*NET: 53-3052.00
Median Salary
$57,440
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.3%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
20.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
What does a Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,250
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,050
25th percentile
Median
$57,440
50th percentile
Experienced
$69,090
75th percentile
Top Earners
$82,640
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,250
25th
$46,050
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$57,440
Mean: $58,390
75th
$69,090
90th
$82,640
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $44,390 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,050 and $69,090
- •Salary spread is 40.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 148,980 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:158,800
Top Industries
Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation34.9%
Urban Transit Systems16.5%
Charter Bus Industry8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.3%
Annual Openings:20,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)158,800
Current
2034 (Projected)165,600
+4.3%
+6,800
Employment Change
+4.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
23,500 jobs$62,4301.35x
New York
16,550 jobs$82,4201.79x
Texas
9,510 jobs$49,0700.71x
Florida
7,620 jobs$46,6400.80x
Illinois
7,580 jobs$69,9501.29x
Washington
7,100 jobs$70,3602.08x
New Jersey
5,850 jobs$62,2001.42x
Maryland
4,680 jobs$69,4401.76x
Pennsylvania
4,300 jobs$48,0100.74x
Virginia
4,040 jobs$51,1401.03x
Massachusetts
3,850 jobs$62,8701.09x
Ohio
3,730 jobs$54,3600.70x
Colorado
3,310 jobs$61,3101.18x
Georgia
3,180 jobs$45,7500.68x
Michigan
3,080 jobs$46,5900.73x
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
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
92%
#3
Service Orientation
86%
#4
Time Management
78%
#5
Active Listening
70%
#6
Critical Thinking
62%
#7
Speaking
56%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
48%
#9
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.6
92%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.3
86%
Time Management
intermediate3.9
78%
Active Listening
intermediate3.5
70%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.1
62%
Speaking
basic2.8
56%
Social Perceptiveness
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:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance62%
abilities
3.1/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs89%
5 shared skills
Hoist and Winch Operators73%
5 shared skills
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians73%
5 shared skills
Butchers and Meat Cutters70%
5 shared skills
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders70%
5 shared skills
Postal Service Clerks70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Active Listening
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, Transit and Intercity
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
CONSTANT
💡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
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (1)
1
Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Report delays or accidents.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Advise passengers to be seated and orderly while on vehicles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Regulate heating, lighting, and ventilating systems for passenger comfort.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Load and unload baggage in baggage compartments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Drive vehicles over specified routes or to specified destinations according to time schedules, complying with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Assist passengers, such as elderly or individuals with disabilities, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Record information, such as cash receipts and ticket fares, and maintain log book.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% 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, Transit and Intercity
💡 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, Transit and Intercity professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.57
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.51
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.32
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.23
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.18
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.14
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.6
Self-Control
4.5
Cooperation
4.3
Concern for Others
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.2
Independence
4.1
Integrity
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Social Orientation
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
💡 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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