Bus operator vs motor coach operator

The differences between bus operators and motor coach operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a motor coach operator has an average salary of $38,328, which is higher than the $37,374 average annual salary of a bus operator.

The top three skills for a bus operator include transport passengers, CDL and safety rules. The most important skills for a motor coach operator are transport passengers, safety regulations, and customer service.

Bus operator vs motor coach operator overview

	Bus Operator	Motor Coach Operator
Yearly salary	$37,374	$38,328
Hourly rate	$17.97	$18.43
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	65,075	40,807
Job satisfaction	3.5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 29%
Average age	55	55
Years of experience	-	-

Bus operator vs motor coach operator salary

Bus operators and motor coach operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Bus Operator	Motor Coach Operator
Average salary	$37,374	$38,328
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $46,000	Between $31,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Newark, NJ	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Microsoft	-
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between bus operator and motor coach operator education

There are a few differences between a bus operator and a motor coach operator in terms of educational background:

	Bus Operator	Motor Coach Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 29%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Bus operator vs motor coach operator demographics

Here are the differences between bus operators' and motor coach operators' demographics:

	Bus Operator	Motor Coach Operator
Average age	55	55
Gender ratio	Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%	Male, 71.4% Female, 28.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 25.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 4.9% White, 47.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 25.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 4.9% White, 47.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between bus operator and motor coach operator duties and responsibilities

Bus operator example responsibilities.

Follow maps and electronic GPS as needed.
Operate various types of company vehicles that require CDL certification.
Perform a complete visual safety check of each bus driven on a daily basis, completing daily pre and post-trip checklists.
Assist passengers with special needs in wheelchairs and walkers to be safely transport in the bus.
Train and supervise bus assistants on proper procedures for handling disable children in walkers and wheel chairs.
Assemble wires together for RV 's

Motor coach operator example responsibilities.

Edit and revise CDL training manual for content and grammar.
Receive a certificate of completion with CDL license in driving passenger buses.
Perform a complete visual safety check of each bus driven on a daily basis, completing daily pre and post-trip checklists.
Used personal extensive knowledge of local area to develop the most efficient routes for MTA runs.
Operate communications equipment according to MTA rules and regulations.

Bus operator vs motor coach operator skills

Common bus operator skills

Transport Passengers, 32%
CDL, 12%
Safety Rules, 11%
Vehicle Inspections, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Passenger Endorsement, 4%

Common motor coach operator skills

Transport Passengers, 37%
Safety Regulations, 13%
Customer Service, 11%
DOT, 10%
CDL, 8%
Post-Trip Inspections, 4%

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Bus Operator
Bus Operator vs Motor Coach Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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