How to become a Transit and Intercity Bus Driver
Official title: Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
Also called: Bus Driver, Bus Operator, Charter Bus Driver, Coach Operator, Motor Coach Driver, Motor Coach Operator, Transit Bus Driver, Transit Coach Operator, Transit Driver, Transit Operator
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
Main 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.
How to become one
Bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license (CDL), which they sometimes earn during on-the-job training. They also need a good driving record and must meet physical, hearing, and vision requirements. In addition, bus drivers typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent and may be required to pass a background check.
Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Coach Operator.
- Licence: A licence is required in 28 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $59,050 a year The middle half earn $47,530 to $70,700.
- About 166,400 people work in this job now, and about 173,300 are projected by 2035. (+4.1%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Transit and Intercity Bus Driver?
Bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license (CDL), which they sometimes earn during on-the-job training. They also need a good driving record and must meet physical, hearing, and vision requirements. In addition, bus drivers typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent and may be required to pass a background check.
How much does a Transit and Intercity Bus Driver earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $59,050 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $47,530 to $70,700.
Is a Transit and Intercity Bus Driver a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 166,400 to about 173,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Transit and Intercity Bus Driver?
Usually not. Only 12% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Coach Operator.
Will AI change the work of a Transit and Intercity Bus Driver?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.