How to become a bus driver, transit and intercity
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What bus drivers, transit and intercity do
- Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
- Announce stops to passengers.
- Assist passengers, such as elderly or individuals with disabilities, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
- Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.
- Advise passengers to be seated and orderly while on vehicles.
- Regulate heating, lighting, and ventilating systems for passenger comfort.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
Is bus driver, transit and intercity a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 16% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- New York $84,480
- Washington $72,280
- Hawaii $68,500
- California $67,130
- Oregon $65,510
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.