Bus Driver Demographics and Statistics In The US
Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for bus drivers in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- There are over 175,855 bus drivers currently employed in the United States.
- 48.9% of all bus drivers are women, while 51.1% are men.
- The average age of an employed bus driver is 57 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of bus drivers is White (67.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (15.3%), Black or African American (9.1%) and Unknown (4.7%).
- Bus drivers are most in-demand in El Cajon, CA.
- Nashua, NH pays an annual average wage of $41,569, the highest in the US.
- In 2021, women earned 98% of what men earned.
- Wyoming is the best state for bus drivers to live.
- Bus drivers are 53% more likely to work at education companies in comparison to private companies.
Bus Driver Statistics By Gender
48.9% of bus drivers are women and 51.1% of bus drivers are men.
- Male, 51.1%
- Female, 48.9%
Bus Drivers By Gender
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 51.1% |
| Female | 48.9% |
Gender Pay Gap For Bus Driver
Women Earn 98ยข For Every $1 Earned By Men
Bus Driver Gender Over Time
This data shows how men and women predominate in the bus driver position over time.
Bus Driver Gender By Year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 49.82% | 50.18% |
| 2011 | 50.34% | 49.66% |
| 2012 | 49.18% | 50.82% |
| 2013 | 51.56% | 48.44% |
| 2014 | 50.45% | 49.55% |
| 2015 | 52.45% | 47.55% |
| 2016 | 53.00% | 47.00% |
| 2017 | 52.43% | 47.57% |
| 2018 | 51.05% | 48.95% |
| 2019 | 49.96% | 50.04% |
| 2020 | 50.53% | 49.47% |
| 2021 | 51.06% | 48.94% |
Bus Driver Male to Female Ratio
We compared this job title with other job titles to see how gender percentages varied. As you can see, diesel truck driver and tank wagon driver have the biggest difference in gender.
| Job Title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Matron | 11% | 89% |
| Bus Escort | 18% | 82% |
| Bus Monitor | 19% | 81% |
| Bus Driver | 51% | 49% |
| Wrecker Operator | 99% | 1% |
| Tank Wagon Driver | 99% | 1% |
| Diesel Truck Driver | 100% | 0% |
Bus Driver Statistics By Race
The most common ethnicity among bus drivers is White, which makes up 67.1% of all bus drivers. Comparatively, there are 15.3% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and 9.1% of the Black or African American ethnicity.
- White, 67.1%
- Hispanic or Latino, 15.3%
- Black or African American, 9.1%
- Unknown, 4.7%
- Asian, 2.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
Bus Driver Race
| Bus Driver Race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 67.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 15.3% |
| Black or African American | 9.1% |
| Unknown | 4.7% |
| Asian | 2.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 1.1% |
Bus Driver Race And Ethnicity Over Time
Using the Census Bureau data, we found out how the percentage of each ethnic category trended between 2010-2019 among bus drivers.
- White
- Asian
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
Bus Driver Race By Year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 65.18% | 17.06% | 1.87% | 13.28% |
| 2011 | 63.71% | 17.16% | 2.55% | 13.59% |
| 2012 | 64.53% | 16.29% | 2.45% | 13.65% |
| 2013 | 63.70% | 16.63% | 2.39% | 14.28% |
| 2014 | 64.56% | 16.46% | 2.14% | 14.03% |
| 2015 | 64.25% | 16.25% | 2.59% | 14.12% |
| 2016 | 61.91% | 16.89% | 2.96% | 14.96% |
| 2017 | 63.55% | 15.66% | 2.56% | 14.98% |
| 2018 | 66.51% | 11.12% | 3.37% | 15.82% |
| 2019 | 69.80% | 9.67% | 3.25% | 14.42% |
| 2020 | 67.72% | 8.86% | 2.77% | 15.12% |
| 2021 | 67.05% | 9.13% | 2.72% | 15.30% |
Bus Driver Wage Gap By Race
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $37,128 |
| White | $37,108 |
| Black or African American | $37,254 |
| Asian | $37,910 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $37,572 |
Bus Driver JOBS
Average Age of a Bus Driver
We determined the average age of bus drivers based on ethnicity and gender.
Bus Driver Age By Race
| Race | Male Age | Female Age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 58 | 55 |
| Unknown | 59 | 55.5 |
| Asian | 54 | 56 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 57 | 53 |
| White | 64 | 57 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 58 |
Bus Driver Age Breakdown
This chart breaks down the ages of bus driver employees. Interestingly enough, the average age of bus drivers is 40+ years old, which represents 95% of the population.
Bus Driver Age
| Bus Driver Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 95% |
| 30-40 years | 5% |
| 20-30 years | 0% |
Types of Bus Driver Degree Levels
The most common degree for bus drivers is high school diploma 36% of bus drivers earn that degree. A close second is associate degree with 22% and rounding it off is bachelor's degree with 19%.
- High School Diploma, 36%
- Associate, 22%
- Bachelors, 19%
- Diploma, 12%
- Other Degrees, 11%
Bus Drivers By Education
| Bus Driver Degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 36% |
| Associate | 22% |
| Bachelors | 19% |
| Diploma | 12% |
| Other Degrees | 11% |
Bus Driver Jobs You Might Like
Bus Driver Wage Gap By Education
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $37,632 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $37,094 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $37,471 |
Bus Driver Employment Statistics
This section highlights information about where bus drivers work. We found most bus drivers work for a education company. In addition, the industry that employs the most bus drivers is the education industry.
Company Size
We created this chart to show you the average size of companies that typically hire bus drivers.
Bus Driver Jobs By Employer Size
| Company Size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 11% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 20% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 24% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 9% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 25% |
| > 10,000 employees | 10% |
The Types Of Companies Bus Driver Work In
Employees with the bus driver job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most bus drivers prefer to work at education companies over private companies.
Bus Driver Jobs By Sector
| Company Type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 53% |
| Public | 3% |
| Private | 35% |
| Government | 8% |
Top Industries Hiring Bus Drivers
Just based on the number of employees within each industry, we were able to determine the most common industries that employ bus drivers. Those industries include education, transportation and government.
Bus Driver Industry Statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 52% |
| Transportation | 18% |
| Government | 6% |
| Hospitality | 4% |
| Non Profits | 3% |
| Media | 2% |
| Manufacturing | 2% |
| Health Care | 2% |
| Start-up | 2% |
| Technology | 2% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Telecommunication | 1% |
| Automotive | 1% |
| Construction | 1% |
| Retail | 1% |
| Professional | 1% |
| Fortune 500 | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
Bus Driver Turnover And Employment Statistics
Bus Driver Unemployment Rate Over Time
The Bureau of Labor Statistics came in clutch when it came down to figuring out how the unemployment rate has changed over time. Between 2008 and 2018, this is how the number of bus drivers changed.
- Unemployment rate
Bus Driver Unemployment Rate By Year
| Year | Bus Driver Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 5.89% |
| 2011 | 5.65% |
| 2012 | 5.76% |
| 2013 | 4.98% |
| 2014 | 4.12% |
| 2015 | 3.73% |
| 2016 | 3.25% |
| 2017 | 3.45% |
| 2018 | 4.03% |
| 2019 | 2.92% |
| 2020 | 6.97% |
| 2021 | 6.83% |
The Average Number of Years That Bus Driver Stay in a Job
By looking over 45,768 bus drivers resumes, we figured out that the average bus driver enjoys staying at their job for 1-2 years for a percentage of 27%.
Bus Driver Tenure
| Number or Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 19% |
| 1-2 years | 27% |
| 3-4 years | 14% |
| 5-7 years | 19% |
| 8-10 years | 7% |
| 11+ years | 14% |
Comparing The LGBT Ratio of Bus Drivers with Other Job Titles
After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. Using the data below, you can see how other job titles compare to bus drivers.
| Job Title | LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Power Sweeper Operator | 1.73% | 27,848 |
| Commercial Driver | 3.95% | 1,016,123 |
| Cab Driver | 6.17% | 318,105 |
| Jitney Driver | 8.69% | 34,141 |
| Bus Driver | 8.77% | - |
Bus Driver LGBT Demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Power Sweeper Operator | 1.73% | 27,848 |
| Commercial Driver | 3.95% | 1,016,123 |
| Cab Driver | 6.17% | 318,105 |
| Jitney Driver | 8.69% | 34,141 |
Foreign Languages Spoken By Bus Drivers
The most common foreign language among bus drivers is Spanish at 71.5%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 6.9% and Arabic is the third-most popular at 3.0%.
- Spanish, 71.5%
- French, 6.9%
- Arabic, 3.0%
- Japanese, 2.6%
- Portuguese, 2.2%
- Other, 13.8%
Bus Driver Languages Spoken
| Foreign Language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 71.5% |
| French | 6.9% |
| Arabic | 3.0% |
| Japanese | 2.6% |
| Portuguese | 2.2% |
| Other | 13.8% |
Bus Driver Jobs
Recently Added Bus Driver Jobs
Bus Driver Heatmaps
Where Do Bus Drivers Earn The Most?
Bus drivers earn the most in Massachusetts, where the average bus driver salary is $43,160. The map here shows where bus drivers earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Which State Has The Most Bus Drivers?
By looking through more than 45,768 resumes, we found that the most popular places for bus drivers are Houston, TX and New York, NY.
Number Of Bus Driver Jobs By State
Where Are Bus Drivers In High Demand?
Bus drivers are in high demand in El Cajon, CA. There are currently 27 job openings for bus drivers here. We looked over job openings to determine where in the country bus drivers are in the most demand.
Bus Driver Demographics FAQs
What Percentage Of Bus Drivers Are Female?
49.7% of bus drivers are female in the United States. This is 1.1 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female bus drivers has decreased by -0.1 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 103,918 female bus drivers in the U.S. and 105,173 male bus drivers in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 209,091 people with the specific job title of bus driver and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.