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School bus driver vs school bus monitor

The differences between school bus drivers and school bus monitors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a school bus driver has an average salary of $37,607, which is higher than the $26,704 average annual salary of a school bus monitor.

The top three skills for a school bus driver include vehicle inspections, customer service and safety rules. The most important skills for a school bus monitor are customer service, behavior problems, and CPR.

School bus driver vs school bus monitor overview

School Bus DriverSchool Bus Monitor
Yearly salary$37,607$26,704
Hourly rate$18.08$12.84
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs112,23027,486
Job satisfaction1.55
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%High School Diploma, 31%
Average age5858
Years of experience--

What does a school bus driver do?

A school bus driver is responsible for students' safe transportation during school days or any related events. Aside from ensuring that the students get to their destination on time, a school bus driver must ensure to abide by the traffic laws and regulations at all times and follow particular routes for picking-up and dropping off students. Furthermore, a school bus driver must ensure students' safety at all times by conducting daily bus maintenance and maintaining order inside the vehicle.

What does a school bus monitor do?

A school bus monitor works closely with the bus driver to ensure safety while students are entering, riding, and leaving the bus. The bus monitor ensures discipline and assistance. Their duties and responsibilities include directing students on pick-up and drop-off points and facilitating communication between management and parents.

School bus driver vs school bus monitor salary

School bus drivers and school bus monitors have different pay scales, as shown below.

School Bus DriverSchool Bus Monitor
Average salary$37,607$26,704
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $46,000Between $20,000 And $33,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, MALowell, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWashington
Best paying companyEpic SystemsBoston Public Schools
Best paying industryEducationTransportation

Differences between school bus driver and school bus monitor education

There are a few differences between a school bus driver and a school bus monitor in terms of educational background:

School Bus DriverSchool Bus Monitor
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%High School Diploma, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

School bus driver vs school bus monitor demographics

Here are the differences between school bus drivers' and school bus monitors' demographics:

School Bus DriverSchool Bus Monitor
Average age5858
Gender ratioMale, 44.7% Female, 55.3%Male, 28.8% Female, 71.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 2.6% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.5% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between school bus driver and school bus monitor duties and responsibilities

School bus driver example responsibilities.

  • Transport clients to doctor appointments, health clinic, and rehabilitation clinics for non-emergency services
  • Obtain CDL and perform daily safety checks on the bus for the security of the students.
  • Train and develop skills in using automatic defibrillator, CPR, and first-aid techniques to be prepare for emergency situations.
  • Aid as a monitor at high school during lunch periods in the commons to make sure the kids are safe.
  • Maintain minor vehicle maintenance and cleanliness.
  • Perform daily pre-trip and post trip.
  • Show more

School bus monitor example responsibilities.

  • Certify in CPR in case of an emergency.
  • Monitor children on and off the bus also cdl driver training
  • Provide appropriate intervention in conflict situations according to ISS standards; notify principal or office when necessary.
  • Assure responsible adult meets children when getting off the bus.
  • Keep daily observation records of childrens developments.
  • Assist children on bus with ESE problems

School bus driver vs school bus monitor skills

Common school bus driver skills
  • Vehicle Inspections, 27%
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • DOT, 6%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%
  • Passenger Endorsement, 3%
Common school bus monitor skills
  • Customer Service, 37%
  • Behavior Problems, 24%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 4%
  • Bus Safety, 3%
  • Kids, 2%

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