November 2, 2007

What This Job Pays: transit bus driver

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Pay: The average pay of a transit bus driver in the Seattle area is $21.64 an hour, with most making from $18.60 to $24.36 an hour, according to PayScale, a Seattle company that tracks compensation and benefits.

Demand: The number of school bus drivers is expected to increase as fast as average over the next 10 years, although at a decreasing rate. Employment growth for local-transit bus drivers is expected to be faster than the average for all occupations, and will likely be the result of the increasing popularity of mass transit due to congestion and rising fuel prices, as well as the demand for transit services in expanding portions of metropolitan areas. There may be competition for positions with more regular hours and steady driving routes.

Need to know: Many employers prefer high-school graduates and require a written test of ability to follow complex bus schedules. Many intercity and public transit bus companies prefer applicants who are at least 24 years of age; some require several years of experience driving a bus or truck. In some states, school bus drivers must pass a background investigation to uncover any criminal record or history of mental problems. Most intercity bus companies and local-transit systems give driver trainees two to eight weeks of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.

PayScale, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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