Bus driver vs conductor

The differences between bus drivers and conductors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a conductor has an average salary of $58,690, which is higher than the $36,879 average annual salary of a bus driver.

The top three skills for a bus driver include CDL, DOT and customer service. The most important skills for a conductor are switches, electrical connections, and locomotives.

Bus driver vs conductor overview

	Bus Driver	Conductor
Yearly salary	$36,879	$58,690
Hourly rate	$17.73	$28.22
Growth rate	5%	4%
Number of jobs	359,229	567
Job satisfaction	4.5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	58	45
Years of experience	-	-

What does a bus driver do?

Bus drivers are mainly responsible for safely transporting passengers to their destinations. Bus drivers must be attentive and highly focused to monitor road situations at all times, avoiding any cause of accidents. A bus driver must also ensure to follow all safety policies and procedures during the travel. Bus drivers should also be knowledgeable in monitoring the engine's condition, spot any unusual signals and inconsistencies of the vehicle system that might compromise everyone's safety and comfortability.

What does a conductor do?

Conductors are generally responsible for interpreting the composition to reflect the set demonstration in that composition, setting the rhythm, making sure of the precise entries, and creating the proper phrasing. They communicate with their musicians fundamentally through hand gestures with the use of a baton and may use other signals like eye contact. Also, they routinely augment their direction with a verbal command to their musicians in rehearsal. Additionally, they act as guides to the orchestra, choose the work they're supposed to present and studying the composition, formulate their interpretation, and attend to organizational matters.

Bus driver vs conductor salary

Bus drivers and conductors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Bus Driver	Conductor
Average salary	$36,879	$58,690
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $45,000	Between $41,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City	Nashua, NH	Tigard, OR
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Oregon
Best paying company	Preston High School	Barclays
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between bus driver and conductor education

There are a few differences between a bus driver and a conductor in terms of educational background:

	Bus Driver	Conductor
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Bus driver vs conductor demographics

Here are the differences between bus drivers' and conductors' demographics:

	Bus Driver	Conductor
Average age	58	45
Gender ratio	Male, 51.1% Female, 48.9%	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 2.7% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	9%	7%

Differences between bus driver and conductor duties and responsibilities

Bus driver example responsibilities.

Demonstrate knowledge of designate routes in metro area.
Provide transportation for city of buffalo residents by driving metro city bus.
Work as the employee trainer for CDL's as well as performed orientation for all new employees.
Drive on narrow streets, in high traffic areas, around trolleys, and heavy pedestrian areas.
Operate a bus carrying passengers in accordance with the rules and regulation of the MTA bus company.
Help riders with wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, and other conditions board and exit the bus safely.

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Conductor example responsibilities.

Provide excellent leadership by training new conductors in railroad rules and regulations, while simultaneously managing the train yard.
Manage all commodities, crew, safety, and efficient delivery of each assign train and while following strict FRA guidelines.
Review and verify the train paperwork and train lists are accurate and in accordance with HAZMAT and other federal regulations.
Claim ladders to tops of cars to set brakes, make minor repairs to couplings air hoses, using have tools.
Qualify RCL operator and instructor.
Service customers including Paxon, Rhodia and Exxon.

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Bus driver vs conductor skills

Common bus driver skills

CDL, 26%
DOT, 9%
Customer Service, 9%
Safety Rules, 8%
CPR, 6%
Passenger Endorsement, 6%

Common conductor skills

Switches, 28%
Electrical Connections, 16%
Locomotives, 14%
Conductors, 7%
FRA, 6%
Field Training, 6%

Bus Driver vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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