Transportation and material moving
Bus drivers, 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.
Median pay
$59,050
Growth to 2035
+4%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
21,100
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Bus drivers, transit and intercity
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Exposure to disease
Bus drivers, transit and intercity: 29% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Drive vehicles over specified routes or to specified destinations according to time schedules, complying with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride.
- Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
- Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
- 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.
- Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
- Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.
- Report delays or accidents.
Also called: Bus Driver · Bus Operator · Charter Bus Driver · Coach Operator · Motor Coach Driver · Motor Coach Operator · Transit Bus Driver · Transit Coach Operator
Outlook and AI
Bus drivers, transit and intercity held 166,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 173,300 by 2035 (+4%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. Taxi driver
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. Subway and streetcar operators
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. Bus drivers, school
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. School bus monitor
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. Passenger attendant
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. Railroad conductors and yardmasters
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. Truck driver
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. Light truck driver
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity vs. Locomotive engineer