How to hire a transit bus operator

How to hire a transit bus operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step transit bus operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a transit bus operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new transit bus operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a transit bus operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a transit bus operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a transit bus operator that fits the bill.

   This list presents transit bus operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Transit Bus Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Transit Bus Operator	Bus drivers transport people between various places—including work, school, and shopping malls—and across state or national borders. Some drive regular routes, and others transport passengers on chartered trips or sightseeing tours.	$15-21
   Bus Driver	Bus drivers are mainly responsible for safely transporting passengers to their destinations. Bus drivers must be attentive and highly focused to monitor road situations at all times, avoiding any cause of accidents... Show more	$13-21
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Transport Passengers
   • CDL
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • Safety Rules
   • Customer Service
   • Safety Procedures
   • Incident Reports
   • Defensive Driving
   • Pre-Trip Inspections
   • Traffic Laws
   • Mechanical Problems
   • Safety Regulations
   • Disabilities ACT
   • Bus Stops

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain professionalism and upkeep cleanliness of assign bus.
   • Obtain information about children health history and allergies

   More transit bus operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the transit bus operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A transit bus operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a transit bus operator in New Mexico may be lower than in New Hampshire, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level transit bus operator. Additionally, a transit bus operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average transit bus operator salary

   $37,749yearly

   $18.15 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level transit bus operator salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average transit bus operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Tennessee	$41,658	$20
   2	Nevada	$41,389	$20
   3	New York	$40,729	$20
   4	Kansas	$40,228	$19
   5	California	$39,485	$19
   6	Colorado	$38,897	$19
   7	South Carolina	$37,615	$18
   8	Mississippi	$35,983	$17
   9	Arkansas	$35,893	$17
   10	Oklahoma	$33,480	$16
   11	Florida	$33,363	$16
   12	Texas	$32,940	$16
   13	Virginia	$32,489	$16

   Average transit bus operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	University of California	$43,446	$20.89	5
   2	Lockheed Martin	$41,267	$19.84	19
   3	Transdev Services, Inc.	$38,461	$18.49	183
   4	First Transit	$38,440	$18.48
   5	City of Pueblo	$38,175	$18.35
   6	Mississippi State University	$38,140	$18.34	3
   7	Freedom Park	$37,909	$18.23
   8	City of San Luis Obispo	$37,328	$17.95	1
   9	Rock Hill Schools	$36,439	$17.52
   10	City of Rock Hill	$35,969	$17.29
   11	Lee County	$35,787	$17.21	2

4. Writing a transit bus operator job description

   A transit bus operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a transit bus operator job description:

   Transit bus operator job description example

   New Starting Wage of $23/HR! (Moving to $24/HR on 12/1/22)

   We are currently offering a new hire bonus for eligible applicants:

   $5,000 Sign-on Bonus with a CDL

   $3,000 Sign-on Bonus non- CDL (we will train you to get your CDL)

   Have you considered being a Bus Operator in your community? Now's your chance! Get PAID to do what you love!

   First Transit Operators provide transportation via Ride KC Johnson County within the local Metropolitan area (including Kansas City, KS, Kansas City, MO, Johnson County, Edgerton, Gardner, and Lawrence). As a Bus Operator you will provide our clients with the freedom and independence of reliable, safe transportation. If you love helping people and driving - come work for us!

   That is exactly why our Operators say: "This is a job with lots of-freedom" "Is life-changing" and "I love what I do!"

   Safety is our top priority and all drivers will be provided the necessary protective equipment to perform their job in accordance with CDC Guidelines.

   Our buses are disinfected daily and masks, gloves and sanitizer are all provided.

   We are proud to offer these great benefits to our drivers:

   • New Starting rate of $23/HR! (Moving to $24/HR on 12/1/22)
   • $5,000 Sign on Bonus for CDL Holders
   • $3,000 Sign on Bonus for non CDL Holders
   • Attractive benefits package, including 401(k) with company contribution, medical, dental and vision
   • Paid Vacation
   • Cutting Edge Paid Training
   • Flexible Schedule
   • Year-round work
   • Freedom of being out on the open road (No desk work!)
   • Making a real difference in the lives of the passengers you serve

   Sign-on Bonus expires Expires 10/31/22. see location for details

   You'll be responsible for transporting passengers in a safe, courteous, and reliable manner

   We want you to drive with us, if you:

   • Have good communication skills
   • Are at least 21 years old
   • Must obtain CDL within 6 months of hire
   • Have held a valid driver's license for at least 3 years
   • Be subject to a drug test and physical

   First Transit keeps people moving and communities prospering - That's why we need amazing people like YOU to APPLY NOW!

   We aspire to have a culture where all people are First. We strive to attract and retain a diverse workforce therefore all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. For candidates applying to positions in San Francisco or Los Angeles California, First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance or Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance. First is an equal opportunity employer and by doing so we will sustain and promote an inclusive culture that supports future growth for all.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find transit bus operators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any transit bus operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level transit bus operators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your transit bus operator job on Zippia to find and recruit transit bus operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with transit bus operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new transit bus operator

   Once you've selected the best transit bus operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new transit bus operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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