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The differences between bus operators and transit 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 $36,195 average annual salary of a transit driver.
The top three skills for a bus operator include transport passengers, CDL and safety rules. The most important skills for a transit driver are reliable transportation, CDL, and defensive driving.
| Bus Operator | Transit Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $37,374 | $36,195 |
| Hourly rate | $17.97 | $17.40 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 65,075 | 362,919 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Average age | 55 | 55 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Bus operators have different roles and responsibilities. These include providing bus driver training, ensuring all drivers have a valid license, and conducting an audit of the bus drivers' performance periodically. To accomplish these responsibilities, a bus operator should possess specific skills, including customer service skills, hearing ability, and hand-eye coordination. There are several qualifications to become a transit bus operator, including having a commercial driver's license, experience in a relevant job, or as a bus operator.
A Transit Driver is tasked with driving passengers on already predetermined and specific routes along suburban or city streets and ensuring that they get to their destinations. He/She typically collects bus fares or tickets from passengers, answers questions on schedules and routes, and reports any traffic disruption or accidents to a central dispatcher. Aside from driving, you will need to also carry out routine check-ups of your bus tires, lights, oil, as well as perform other basic maintenance. You will also need to keep passengers informed of delays.
Bus operators and transit drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bus Operator | Transit Driver | |
| Average salary | $37,374 | $36,195 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $46,000 | Between $27,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | West Haven, CT |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Keurig Dr Pepper |
| Best paying industry | Education | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a bus operator and a transit driver in terms of educational background:
| Bus Operator | Transit Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between bus operators' and transit drivers' demographics:
| Bus Operator | Transit Driver | |
| Average age | 55 | 55 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5% | Male, 59.3% Female, 40.7% |
| 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% |