How to hire a transit driver

How to hire a transit driver, step by step

Here's a step-by-step transit driver 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 driver job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new transit driver
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a transit driver do?

Post a transit driver job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a transit driver, 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

   Hiring the perfect transit driver also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents transit driver salaries for various positions.

   Type of Transit Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Transit Driver	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.	$12-22
   Bus Operator	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... Show more	$14-22
   Shuttle Driver	Shuttle bus drivers offer a route with limited stops or fast transportation services. The drivers are expected to drive following a specific way or a set of schedules... Show more	$10-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Reliable Transportation
   • CDL
   • Defensive Driving
   • Passenger Endorsement
   • Safety Standards
   • CPR
   • Customer Service
   • Medical Appointments
   • GPS
   • Two-Way Radio
   • Cleanliness
   • Wheelchair Lifts
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • Transport Passengers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish CDL license with endorsement in doubles/triples.
   • Obtain full first aid and CPR training.
   • Well verse with first aid and CPR techniques.
   • Train new drivers on routes and for require testing for CDL.
   • Inform and train clients with GPS protocol and designate pick up and drop off points.
   • Respond to medical emergencies include administering first-aid and relay requests for services and transportation of patients to medical emergencies or appointments.

   More transit driver duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the transit driver job description is a good way to get more applicants. A transit driver 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 driver in Wyoming may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level transit driver. Additionally, a transit driver with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average transit driver salary

   $36,195yearly

   $17.40 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level transit driver salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 9, 2025

   Average transit driver salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$43,673	$21
   2	Nevada	$41,092	$20
   3	Massachusetts	$40,736	$20
   4	North Dakota	$38,821	$19
   5	Oregon	$38,496	$19
   6	Pennsylvania	$38,205	$18
   7	California	$37,368	$18
   8	Minnesota	$37,156	$18
   9	Illinois	$36,200	$17
   10	Texas	$36,157	$17
   11	Virginia	$35,466	$17
   12	Arizona	$34,813	$17
   13	Iowa	$34,682	$17
   14	Mississippi	$33,952	$16
   15	North Carolina	$33,811	$16
   16	New Mexico	$31,804	$15
   17	Colorado	$31,755	$15
   18	Oklahoma	$31,358	$15
   19	Kentucky	$31,140	$15
   20	Ohio	$30,956	$15

   Average transit driver salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Keurig Dr Pepper	$41,270	$19.84	35
   2	WeatherTech	$40,556	$19.50
   3	Lincoln Holdings LLC	$40,154	$19.30	2
   4	Gordon Food Service	$38,310	$18.42	78
   5	National Express	$38,163	$18.35	587
   6	City of Greenville, NC	$38,096	$18.32	2
   7	Bridgewater State University	$38,011	$18.27	1
   8	Green Mountain Coffee Roasters	$37,880	$18.21
   9	FIRST	$37,696	$18.12
   10	National Express Transit	$37,676	$18.11	12
   11	First Transit	$37,640	$18.10
   12	Transdev Services, Inc.	$37,631	$18.09	245
   13	Keystone Quality Transport	$37,491	$18.02	4
   14	MV Transportation	$36,765	$17.68	116
   15	LAZ Parking	$36,743	$17.66	4
   16	Hire Velocity	$36,292	$17.45
   17	Bruce Transportation Group	$36,214	$17.41
   18	Polk County	$36,151	$17.38
   19	Medical Billing	$36,037	$17.33
   20	City of Rapid City	$35,890	$17.25	2

4. Writing a transit driver job description

   A transit driver 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. Below, you can find an example of a transit driver job description:

   Transit driver job description example

   Job DescriptionKeystone Quality Transport is committed to providing the best possible service to our customers. Constantly meeting and exceeding the expectations of our patients, passengers, their loved ones, the facilities which they are picked up or dropped off at, and the public at large is our goal!
   
   Quality isn’t just one of the words in the company name, but rather everything that Keystone Quality Transport attempts to embody. From our employees, practices, services, to all facets of our business, Keystone Quality Transport always strives for QUALITY.
   
   Currently we are seeking Full Time Paratransit Drivers to become valued members of our team!
   
   KQT Drivers provide compassionate, friendly and professional transport services to participants of Eldercare programs to/from their residence, the facility and run errands (Dr. appointments, shopping, etc.)
   MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
   
   If Delaware Employee: Delaware State/FBI Fingerprinting If Pennsylvania Employee: PATCH Background Check Covid Vaccination Maintain current, valid Driver’s License Drug Screen and DOT physical High School Diploma or GED equivalent Maintain current CPR card (will provide training) One-year related experience preferred Must have excellent Attendance and Punctuality Ability to have a flexible work schedule (6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends on occasion). Basic computer knowledge (all documentation, timekeeping, etc., done electronically). PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
   
   Must regularly lift and/or move up to 125 pounds Sit and stand for extended periods of time. Walk, bend, squat, twist, reach, push, pull, and carry. Frequently lift and/or move; including assisting participants in moving, going up/down stairs, and wheelchair assistance. Work in the elements (Cold, Heat, Rain, Snow, etc.) We deploy from Springfield, Philadelphia, Wilmington and Newark
   
   Apply at www.KeystoneQualityTransport.com
   
   EOE M/F/D/V
   Drug Free Workplace

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find transit drivers 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 drivers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level transit drivers 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 driver job on Zippia to find and recruit transit driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit transit drivers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 driver

   Once you have selected a candidate for the transit driver position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a transit driver?