Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
Also called: Bus Driver · Bus Operator · Charter Bus Driver · Coach Operator · Motor Coach Driver · Motor Coach Operator
Median pay (national)
$57,440
$38,250–$82,640 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
148,980
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.3%
~20,900 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $82,640 versus $38,250 at the bottom 10% — 2.2x. The median of $57,440 leaves roughly 44% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.3% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 20,900 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, New York pays the most for this role (median $82,420, +43% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $28,800 — a 186% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
- Announce stops to passengers.
- 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.
- Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.
- Advise passengers to be seated and orderly while on vehicles.
- Regulate heating, lighting, and ventilating systems for passenger comfort.
- Maintain cleanliness of bus or motor coach.
- Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
- Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
- Report delays or accidents.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Windows
- AOL MapQuest
- Microsoft MapPoint
- Web browser software
Knowledge areas
- Transportation
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Telecommunications
- Computers and Electronics