Bus operator vs transit bus driver

The differences between bus operators and transit bus drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a bus operator has an average salary of $37,374, which is higher than the $37,247 average annual salary of a transit bus driver.

The top three skills for a bus operator include transport passengers, CDL and safety rules. The most important skills for a transit bus driver are passenger endorsement, DOT, and safety rules.

Bus operator vs transit bus driver overview

	Bus Operator	Transit Bus Driver
Yearly salary	$37,374	$37,247
Hourly rate	$17.97	$17.91
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	65,075	355,403
Job satisfaction	3.5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 35%
Average age	55	55
Years of experience	-	-

Bus operator vs transit bus driver salary

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

	Bus Operator	Transit Bus Driver
Average salary	$37,374	$37,247
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $46,000	Between $30,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Newark, NJ	Everett, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	New Jersey
Best paying company	Microsoft	LAZ Parking
Best paying industry	Education	Real Estate

Differences between bus operator and transit bus driver education

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

	Bus Operator	Transit Bus Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Bus operator vs transit bus driver demographics

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

	Bus Operator	Transit Bus Driver
Average age	55	55
Gender ratio	Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%	Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
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 transit 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

Transit bus driver example responsibilities.

Train in CPR, and the individual needs of the clients.
Charter arraign trips to Ohio and NYC.
Perform daily vehicle inspection in accordance with CDL requirements.
Implement the extensive public relations training acquire from RTA.
Transport passengers to and from destinations/ CDL license with air-brake endorsement.
Read maps, GPS, follow written and verbal geographic direction.

Bus operator vs transit 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 transit bus driver skills

Passenger Endorsement, 16%
DOT, 15%
Safety Rules, 10%
Two-Way Radio, 9%
Transport Passengers, 6%
Customer Service, 6%

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 Transit Bus Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs