Bus Driver Jobs in the United States
Chenega Corporation
Lawton, OK
Class “A” or Class “B” CDL preferred, or able to obtain Class “B” training permit within 10 days of hire and able to obtain Class “B” CDL through company training program within 90 days of hire. The Bus Driver drives a bus to transport passengers over specified routes to local or distant points according to time schedule.
Chenega Corporation
Lawton, OK
Class “A” or Class “B” CDL preferred, or able to obtain Class “B” training permit within 10 days of hire and able to obtain Class “B” CDL through company training program within 90 days of hire. The Bus Driver drives a bus to transport passengers over specified routes to local or distant points according to time schedule.
Transdev
Plattsburgh, NY
Transdev is the largest private sector operator of multiple modes of passenger transit in North America, providing bus, rail, paratransit and shuttle services. We manage over 200 transportation contracts for cities, transit authorities and airports, providing safe, sustainable, and innovative mobility solutions.
Transdev
Cortland, NY
Transdev is the largest private sector operator of multiple modes of passenger transit in North America, providing bus, rail, paratransit and shuttle services. We manage over 200 transportation contracts for cities, transit authorities and airports, providing safe, sustainable, and innovative mobility solutions.
Transdev
Phoenix, AZ
That is exactly why our drivers say this is the "lots of-freedom, life-changing, love-what-you-do" line of work! You'll be responsible for:Safely transporting passengers in a safe, courteous, and reliable manner throughout the service area.
Transdev
Phoenix, AZ
About us: Transdev is the largest private sector operator of multiple modes of passenger transit in North America, providing bus, rail, paratransit and shuttle services. We manage over 200 transportation contracts for cities, transit authorities and airports, providing safe, sustainable, and innovative mobility solutions.
Transdev
Norcross, GA
Based near Chicago, Transdev is the largest private-sector operator of multiple modes of transit in North America, including bus, rail, streetcar, paratransit, and shuttle services. Its parent company, Transdev Group, is a leading global operator and integrator of mobility operating in 17 countries and provides passengers every day the freedom to connect to what they care about in their cities.
Transdev
Burnsville, MN
Corporate office is based near Chicago, Transdev is the largest private-sector operator of multiple modes of transit in North America, including bus, rail, streetcar, paratransit, and shuttle services. Its parent company, Transdev Group, is a leading global operator and integrator of mobility operating in 17 countries and provides passengers the freedom to connect to what they care about in their cities.
Transdev
Baton Rouge, LA
Transdev Drivers provide transportation across the LSU campus to students and faculty each day, helping to connect people to jobs, education and leisure activities! About Transdev: Cities, counties, airports, companies, and universities across the U.S. contract with Transdev to operate their transportation systems, maintain their vehicle and fleets, and deliver on mobility solutions.
Bus Driver Jobs Overview
Life on the open road — is there anything like it? For many job seekers, the opportunity to drive for a living is too good to resist. If you're looking for a career that gives you a sense of independence, achievement, and purpose, bus driver jobs may be right for you.
Whether traveling to work, school, or out sightseeing, passengers depend on bus drivers to get them safely to their destination. Following planned routes and time schedules, you pick up and drop off passengers at predetermined locations. To qualify, bus drivers must maintain a good driving record and possess a commercial driver's license (CDL), which you often earn during training.
Now is a great time to start working as a bus driver. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of bus drivers will grow as fast as the average for all occupations, with around 76,400 positions available each year. Whether you wish to work part-time or full-time, bus driver jobs put you behind the wheel, headed toward a fulfilling career.
Salaries for Bus Driver Jobs
School, local transit, intercity, charter — what type of bus driver do you want to be? Generally speaking, the salary you earn as a bus driver depends on the industry in which you work. Nationwide, the median wage for bus drivers is $21.80 per hour.
The number of jobs available also influences the salary you can earn as a bus driver. School bus driver jobs are among the most plentiful, while transit and intercity bus driver jobs typically pay more. Where you live is another factor that influences salary.
Here are five cities that offer the topmost salaries for bus driver positions:
- Los Angeles, California - $23.40 per hour
- Indianapolis, Indiana - $21.87 per hour
- New York, New York - $21.71 per hour
- Columbus, Ohio - $21.45 per hour
- Houston, Texas - $20.12 per hour
What's the median salary for bus driver jobs in your neck of the woods? Use Monster's salary calculator to find out.
How to Find Bus Driver Jobs
Like preparing for a lengthy road trip, your journey toward finding a job as a bus driver begins with planning your route. What do you want from the job, and how will you achieve it? Defining your career goals ahead of time helps you reach your chosen destination.
It's also helpful to consider your personal preferences. Whether part-time, full-time, or seasonal, you'll be happiest with a schedule that suits your lifestyle and meets your needs. The following tips can help you find the ideal bus driver job.
Evaluate the Job Description
Are you qualified for the role? That's the first question to ask when reviewing a job description. Study listings for skills, responsibilities, and requirements to assess whether you've got what it takes to fill the position.
When you drive a bus for a living, it's critical to adhere to the highest safety standards whenever you're behind the wheel. Knowing how to interact effectively with passengers is just as important. Since passengers rely on bus drivers to get them where they need to go, dependability is another essential quality.
Proceed cautiously if the job posting uses vague or exaggerated language. You may decide to slam on the brakes rather than work for a company with unrealistic expectations. Instead, look for clear descriptions of responsibilities.
Research the Company's Culture
Before racing toward a job that appeals to you, take some time to learn more about the organization. Explore their website, read news releases, and study online customer reviews. You're likely to be more satisfied with a job if the company's values align with your own.
Explore Opportunities for Growth
If working as a bus driver is just the first stop on your journey toward the ideal position, assess whether the job will help you reach your career goals. For instance, find out whether the company offers opportunities for advancement.
Applying for Bus Driver Jobs
Before filling out your application, read through the job description again to identify the position's key skills and requirements. You can increase your chances of landing the job if you highlight these qualifications in your resume and cover letter.
Create an Effective Resume
Even the most qualified bus driver can get passed over for a job because of a resume that doesn't feature keywords. Why? Most hiring managers use online screening filters that weed out applicants who don't list specific attributes in their resumes. Here's a list of keywords often used in descriptions for bus driver jobs:
- dependable
- safe driving record
- communication skills
- time management
- follows safety procedures
- responsible
- problem-solving skills
Using the proper format also helps ensure your resume gets seen by the hiring manager. Forgo colored paper, fancy fonts, and distracting graphics in favor of standard lettering and plain white paper. Use our sample bus driver resume to help guide you through the process.
For a resume that makes the most of your skills and qualifications, take advantage of Monster's Professional Resume Writing Services. Our experts will create a keyword-rich resume optimized to pass recruiter screening software. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee ensures you'll be pleased with the results.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter
Although often not required for this type of job, a well-constructed cover letter allows you to promote yourself in a more personable way than a resume that's strictly business. The challenge is to get your message across within the confines of a few short paragraphs.
Expressing your excitement about working for the company is a great place to begin. Use the opening paragraph to convey your enthusiasm for the job, and then explain why your skills make you the perfect candidate for the position.
Using keywords from the job description, follow up with a paragraph that focuses on your skills and experience as a bus driver. Drive the point home with a brief list of accomplishments. Finish with a real-world example of how your qualifications set you apart from other applicants.
How to Submit the Application
Apply for the job by simply signing up for a free Monster account. After creating a quick personal profile, you can get a complimentary resume review from one of our experts. You'll also receive notifications for additional bus driver jobs as soon as they become available.
How to Follow Up on Your Application
One week — according to Monster's recruiting experts, that's how long you should wait before following up your application with an email or phone call. Instead of idling your job-searching engine, use the time to map out a follow-up strategy.
Find out who to contact when following up on your application. You can usually learn who to contact through the company's human resources department. Take the opportunity to ask if the hiring manager prefers a follow-up email or phone call.
If crafting an email inquiry, include a subject line referring to the bus driver job you applied for. In the opening paragraph, include all the information the hiring manager needs to access your application, including your full name and the date you submitted it.
Use the body of the email to convey your continued interest in the position, reiterating why you're a perfect fit for the job. End your message by expressing your hope to hear back from the recruiter soon.
Interviewing for Bus Driver Jobs
Getting an interview for a bus driver job you're excited about is worth celebrating, but don't take a victory lap yet. Use the following tips to boost your chances of crossing the finishing line by ensuring you're fully prepared for the important meeting.
Do Your Research
What's a great way to make a positive first impression during an interview? Demonstrate to the employer that you've taken the time to learn as much as you can about how the company operates. A thorough understanding of the organization's culture, values, and aspirations allows you to interact as if you're already part of the team.
How to Answer Interview Questions
Practice makes perfect, as the saying goes, and that's especially true when it comes to responding to interview questions. It's also helpful to understand how employers choose which questions to ask. Here are the two most common formats employers use to help them learn more about you.
- A competency-based interview focuses on the specific skills, experience, and knowledge necessary for the bus driver job.
- A behavioral interview asks questions that help the employer ascertain how you'd handle the position's responsibilities and challenges.
Whatever format the employer uses, you'll be better prepared to answer any question if you use the STAR method. For example, suppose the employer asks you to talk about a time you had to unexpectedly adjust your route as a bus driver. Using the STAR method, you'd respond with a story describing the situation, how you identified a solution, and the action you took to a positive outcome.
How to Follow Up After the Interview
Sending a thank-you email within 24 hours after an interview is more than a courtesy. It's an action that demonstrates how serious you are about landing the bus driver job. It also gives you another chance to prove you're the best candidate for the position.
Begin by thanking the hiring manager for taking the time to meet with you. Express your enthusiastic interest in joining the organization, highlighting the skills that would make you a valued team member. If there's no response in the next week or two, a follow-up phone call may impress the employer and seal the deal.
How to Respond to Job Offers
After doing your best to find a great bus driver job, it's natural to want to accept immediately the moment you receive an offer. Unless you're certain it's the job for you, tap the brakes a bit before you give the employer your final answer. Thank them for the offer, and let them know when to expect your decision. Then take time to review the terms and conditions of the proposal.
Evaluate the compensation package carefully to ensure you understand all the details. Consider more than the stated salary for the position. In addition to benefits ranging from medical insurance to holiday pay, many bus driver jobs offer extras such as paid training and generous sign-on bonuses.
Depending on the type of bus driver job, there might be room for negotiation if the compensation package doesn't meet your expectations. Companies that offer charter or motor coach services generally have more flexibility when it comes to compensation than government organizations. For additional help, read our tips on how to negotiate an offer.
Career Paths
As a bus driver, your commercial driver's license is your ticket to a world of career possibilities. Learning about types of CDL jobs and what they pay can help you explore your options. Here are three possibilities.
When mapping out a route to a new job, let your personal preferences guide you toward the optimal choice. Would you prefer to transport packages rather than people? Think about switching gears and becoming a delivery driver. If you long to spend more time out on the open road, a career as a long-haul driver might suit you.
There's also good news if you want to remain with your current employer. More and more often, transportation companies are focusing on providing pathways toward advancement.