Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Bus drivers, transit and intercity, play a key role in moving people between neighborhoods, cities, and regions. This career combines hands-on vehicle operation with regular interaction with passengers, drawing on skills such as customer service, speaking and listening, and interpersonal communication. With national employment of 159,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 4.3%, the field offers an established workforce and ongoing hiring needs. About 21,000 annual openings suggest a steady flow of opportunities for new and experienced drivers. The typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this a viable option for those seeking a career that does not require a four-year degree. The work also calls on fine motor skills, mechanical awareness, physical strength and stamina, and adaptability, supported by problem solving, decision making, and attention to detail. Overall, this path can appeal to individuals who want a people-focused role that matches practical driving skills with dependable employment prospects.
The national median annual salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity, is $57,440, with notable variation by state and metro area. Among the top states, New York reports a median salary of $84,480, while Washington stands at $72,280 and California at $67,130. Massachusetts and Colorado show median salaries of $65,460 and $63,010, respectively. At the metro level, several areas stand out: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, has a median salary of $78,900, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, is close behind at $78,130. Other leading metros such as Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, offer median salaries ranging from $65,220 to $70,120. These differences indicate that geographic choice can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation.
Bus drivers, transit and intercity, have national employment of 159,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 4.3%. This growth, combined with approximately 21,000 annual openings, points to ongoing demand over the projection period. The presence of both current employment and continued growth suggests opportunities for new entrants as well as experienced drivers seeking to change locations or employers. The consistent 4.3% growth rate also appears in the top states and metro areas listed, indicating that the projected expansion is not limited to a single region. For job seekers, the combination of an established employment base, defined growth percentage, and a sizable number of openings each year can support both initial entry into the field and longer-term career planning. Individuals considering this path can expect a labor market with measurable, documented hiring needs across multiple locations.
Location choices can significantly shape the experience of bus drivers, transit and intercity. Among states, California has the highest employment level listed, with 24,380 drivers and a median salary of $67,130, alongside an opportunity score of 67.38. New York combines a median salary of $84,480 with employment of 16,770 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Washington, Massachusetts, and Colorado offer median salaries between $63,010 and $72,280, with opportunity scores from 56.29 to 65.87. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, stands out with 19,770 employed, a median salary of $78,130, and the highest opportunity score listed at 77.27. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, reports a median salary of $78,900 and an opportunity score of 68.75, while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, show strong opportunity scores between 62.99 and 64.47. These figures highlight meaningful differences in pay, employment size, and opportunity scores across regions.
Bus drivers, transit and intercity, typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. This educational requirement makes the career accessible to individuals who have completed secondary education but may not be pursuing a college degree. Success in this field, however, depends on a broad set of skills that go beyond formal schooling. Key strengths include fine motor skills, mechanical awareness, and physical strength and stamina, which support the hands-on aspects of operating and managing a vehicle. Customer service, interpersonal skills, and speaking and listening are central to working with passengers and colleagues. Being detail oriented, adaptable, and capable of problem solving and decision making helps drivers handle changing conditions and information. Writing and reading skills also play a role, supporting communication and understanding of necessary materials. Together, this mix of abilities complements the modest formal education requirement and shapes the overall skill profile for the occupation.
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