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What is a bus driver/monitor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
introduction image
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a bus driver/monitor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $17.98 an hour? That's $37,393 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 32,800 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreBus Driver/MonitorUS Average
Salary
2.9

Avg. Salary $37,393

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.2

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.00%

Asian 2.46%

Black or African American 9.48%

Hispanic or Latino 17.69%

Unknown 4.54%

White 64.82%

Gender

female 59.39%

male 40.61%

Age - 59
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 59
Stress level
8.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Bus driver/monitor career paths

Key steps to become a bus driver/monitor

  1. Explore bus driver/monitor education requirements

    Most common bus driver/monitor degrees

    High School Diploma

    33.5 %

    Associate

    28.1 %

    Bachelor's

    11.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific bus driver/monitor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CDL26.79%
    Safety Rules23.89%
    Safety Regulations12.78%
    Traffic Laws6.77%
    Pre-trip5.16%
  3. Complete relevant bus driver/monitor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New bus driver/monitors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a bus driver/monitor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real bus driver/monitor resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed bus driver/monitor usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed bus driver/monitor in most of states. 18 states require bus driver/monitors to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    StateEducationExamLicense url
    KentuckySpecific course requiredState exam requiredSchool Bus Driver
    MarylandSpecific course requiredState exam requiredBUS DRIVER, SCHOOL
    AlaskaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredBus Driver, School
    Idaho-State exam requiredCommercial Drivers
    IllinoisSpecific course requiredState exam requiredCOMMERCIAL DRIVER (TRUCK AND BUS OPERATOR)
  5. Research bus driver/monitor duties and responsibilities

    • Provide appropriate intervention in conflict situations according to ISS standards; notify principal or office when necessary.
    • Provide appropriate intervention in conflict situations according to ISS standards; notify principal or office when necessary.
  6. Prepare your bus driver/monitor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your bus driver/monitor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a bus driver/monitor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable bus driver/monitor resume templates

    Build a professional bus driver/monitor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your bus driver/monitor resume.
    Bus Driver/Monitor Resume
    Bus Driver/Monitor Resume
    Bus Driver/Monitor Resume
    Bus Driver/Monitor Resume
    Bus Driver/Monitor Resume
    Bus Driver/Monitor Resume
    Bus Driver/Monitor Resume
    Bus Driver/Monitor Resume
    Bus Driver/Monitor Resume
  7. Apply for bus driver/monitor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a bus driver/monitor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first bus driver/monitor job

Zippi

Are you a bus driver/monitor?

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Average bus driver/monitor salary

The average bus driver/monitor salary in the United States is $37,393 per year or $18 per hour. Bus driver/monitor salaries range between $31,000 and $45,000 per year.

Average bus driver/monitor salary
$37,393 Yearly
$17.98 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do bus driver/monitors rate their job?

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Bus driver/monitor reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2023
Pros

You don’t have a supervisor hovering over your shoulders all day. It’s great not to be stuck in an office all day too. Sometimes you really do form a good relationship with some of the students and parents (special needs)

Cons

Unruly and disrespectful children sometimes with dangerous behavior. You may not always be supported by your supervisor, parents or school staff. Hours can be very conflicting with your doctor’s or other appointments


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Severing the public , being able to get people to and from work and home is a good day work as a bus driver.

Cons

Not enough overtime , the hours are not enough, and since their are meaningful, being able to sign up for overtime helps . Then there are the class C drivers who take advantage of bus drivers, by cutting us off, or just not being aware that a 40ft/ 60ft bus can not stop on a dime And while class C drivers take unnecessary traffic risk. A bus driver must stay alert and expect the unexpected every minute under the wheel of a bus


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

The freedom to work on your own schedule.

Cons

The road rage drivers: people lose their empathy when driving. They become aggressive and angry by the slightest event on the road. Hence, taking the fun out of driving. However, driving is still relaxing and fun.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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