Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
What is a bus monitor and how to become one
A bus monitor assists school bus drivers in handling the students on school buses while the bus is in operation. He/she basically supervises the children, making sure they maintain discipline while on the bus and that they are in their assigned seats. They also assist the children with safely getting on and off the bus, helping them cross the road and releasing them to the proper guardians.
Bus monitors must maintain proper relations with parents and guardians of students. In order to succeed in their role, they should have experience with handling children, knowledge of emergency evacuation procedures, supervisory skills, ability to multitask, attention to detail, and communication skills.
Bus monitors typically work 40 hours a week Monday to Friday from 9 to 5. Their work schedule depends on the school's operating hours with most of their workload taking place in the early mornings and evenings.
Avg. Salary $26,958
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 5%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.00%
Asian 2.46%
Black or African American 9.57%
Hispanic or Latino 17.69%
Unknown 4.54%
White 64.73%
Genderfemale 81.18%
male 18.82%
Age - 59American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 59Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Bus monitor career paths
Key steps to become a bus monitor
Explore bus monitor education requirements
Start to develop specific bus monitor skills
Skills Percentages Customer Service 22.41% Behavior Problems 14.73% Kids 13.25% CPR 10.02% Safety Rules 4.30% Complete relevant bus monitor training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New bus 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 monitor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real bus monitor resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed bus monitor usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed bus monitor in most of states. 18 states require bus monitors to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License url Kentucky Specific course required State exam required School Bus Driver Maryland Specific course required State exam required BUS DRIVER, SCHOOL Alaska Specific course required State exam required Bus Driver, School Idaho - State exam required Commercial Drivers Illinois Specific course required State exam required COMMERCIAL DRIVER (TRUCK AND BUS OPERATOR) Research bus monitor duties and responsibilities
- Seat students safely using need seat belts, car seats or wheel chair restraints, etc.
- Seat students safely using need seat belts, and if applicable wheel chair restraints, etc.
- Enroll in CDL training classes.
- Assist children on bus with ESE problems
Prepare your bus monitor resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your bus 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 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 monitor resume templates
Build a professional bus 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 monitor resume.
Apply for bus monitor jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a bus monitor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first bus monitor job
Are you a bus monitor?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average bus monitor salary
The average bus monitor salary in the United States is $26,958 per year or $13 per hour. Bus monitor salaries range between $21,000 and $33,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do bus monitors rate their job?
Bus monitor reviews
Severing the public , being able to get people to and from work and home is a good day work as a bus driver.
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
The freedom to work on your own schedule.
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.
I like the split schedule and having holidays, snow days and summers (if you want them). I like my supervisors and my co-workers. I drive a special needs run which I really enjoy and get a lot of satisfaction from and we receive good benefits and retirement.
It’s hard to get up so early! When I had a regular run I believed that those routes should have attendants to help control the students-instead of just special needs routes having them.
Updated January 8, 2025
