Bus operator vs tour bus driver

The differences between bus operators and tour bus drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a tour bus driver has an average salary of $37,754, 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 tour bus driver are CDL, transport passengers, and DOT.

Bus operator vs tour bus driver overview

	Bus Operator	Tour Bus Driver
Yearly salary	$37,374	$37,754
Hourly rate	$17.97	$18.15
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	65,075	42,170
Job satisfaction	3.5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	55	55
Years of experience	-	-

Bus operator vs tour bus driver salary

Bus operators and tour bus drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Bus Operator	Tour Bus Driver
Average salary	$37,374	$37,754
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $46,000	Between $28,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Newark, NJ	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Microsoft	-
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between bus operator and tour bus driver education

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

	Bus Operator	Tour Bus Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Bus operator vs tour bus driver demographics

Here are the differences between bus operators' and tour bus drivers' demographics:

	Bus Operator	Tour Bus Driver
Average age	55	55
Gender ratio	Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%	Male, 79.7% Female, 20.3%
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 tour bus driver 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

Tour bus driver example responsibilities.

Conduct vehicle inspections on bus pre and post-schedule trips for bus maintenance and passenger safety.
Certify in CPR and sensitivity training.
Require to maintain CDL drivers licensing on a yearly basis.
Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
Certify in first aid and CPR and attend training on wheelchair sensitivity.
Train and supervise bus assistants on proper procedures for handling disable children in walkers and wheel chairs.

Bus operator vs tour bus driver skills

Common bus operator skills

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

Common tour bus driver skills

CDL, 32%
Transport Passengers, 22%
DOT, 19%
Pre, 7%
Post-Trip Inspections, 4%
Vehicle Inspections, 3%

Bus Operator vs. similar jobs

Bus Operator related careers

Bus Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Bus Operator
Bus Operator vs Tour Bus Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs