Bus Driver
Move people. Bus Drivers operate transit buses (WMATA Metrobus, intercity coaches), school buses, and shuttle buses. Stable employment with strong benefits — government and school district positions come with pension.
Bus Driver goes by many names
On KinTrades, all of these job titles route to the Bus Driver trade — so search any of them and you'll find matching work.
Day to day on the job
Bus drivers run scheduled routes — transit drivers run urban routes for WMATA, Fairfax Connector, Ride On, GoTriangle; school bus drivers run morning/afternoon routes during the school year; intercity coach drivers run long-haul routes for Greyhound, FlixBus, Megabus.
Specializations diverge by service. Transit Bus Drivers work urban routes — strong union representation (ATU), pension, benefits. School Bus Drivers work AM/PM routes during school year — flexible hours that fit parenting schedules. Intercity Coach Drivers run multi-state lanes — premium pay for over-the-road work.
Most bus drivers work for transit agencies (WMATA, MTA Maryland, Hampton Roads Transit), school districts, or coach companies. Government and school district positions provide the strongest job security and benefits. Many bus drivers come up through delivery driving or military motor transport.
How you move up as a Bus Driver
Bus driver progression is largely employer-internal. Transit agencies have step pay raises and senior driver designations. School districts pay by experience step. ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) represents most transit drivers. BLS OES 53-3052, May 2024.
Trainee — what this rung looks like
What Bus Drivers earn in VA, DC, MD & NC
Pay data: BLS OEWS · May 2024 · VA · DC · MD · NC. Expanding nationally.
Core craft + supporting skills
Pulled from your taxonomy. Core skills (orange) are required for the Bus Driver trade; supporting skills (gray) round out a well-rounded journeyworker.
Paths into the Bus Driver trade
Transit Agency Hiring (WMATA, MTA, etc.)
Major transit agencies run their own CDL training and hiring programs. WMATA, MTA Maryland, Hampton Roads Transit, GoTriangle. Pay-while-you-learn during training.
School District Hiring
School districts hire bus drivers with their own CDL training programs. Flexible AM/PM hours that fit parenting schedules. Most districts run training programs in summer.
Pell-Eligible CDL with Passenger Endorsement
CC CDL programs include passenger and school-bus endorsements. FastForward VA covers tuition for VA students.
Endorsements + certs that help
CDL Class B with P (Passenger) and S (School Bus) endorsements, defensive driving certifications, First Aid/CPR, ADA passenger handling, transit-specific safety training.
Common pathways into Bus Driver work
KinTrades welcomes Bus Driver workers from every walk of life. Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a student planning your career, or someone returning to work — there's a clear path in.
Veterans
Bus driver work draws veterans heavily — Army 88M Motor Transport Operator, Air Force 2T1X1 Vehicle Operations, Navy LS (Logistics Specialist) all transfer well.
The Military Skills Test Waiver allows military CDL holders to skip the road test for civilian licensing.
Transit agencies and school districts actively recruit veterans for the discipline and reliability the work requires.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
CDL Class B with Passenger endorsement requires age 21 for interstate; age 18 for intrastate. School bus driving requires age 21 in most jurisdictions.
HS grads often go through transit-agency CDL programs as a first job.
Pell-eligible CC CDL programs include passenger endorsements.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Bus driver work runs formal background checks because of passenger contact (especially for school bus drivers — most states require fingerprint-based checks). Driving violations and DUI/DWI typically disqualify.
School bus drivers face the strictest screening; transit agencies are more case-by-case.
Some recent felony convictions disqualify automatically; others depend on the offense and time elapsed.
Second-chance hiringIf Bus Driver interests you, also look at
Common questions about becoming a Bus Driver
What does a Bus Driver do?
Bus drivers run scheduled routes — transit drivers run urban routes for WMATA, Fairfax Connector, Ride On, GoTriangle; school bus drivers run morning/afternoon routes during the school year; intercity coach drivers run long-haul routes for Greyhound, FlixBus, Megabus.
What does a Bus Driver make in Virginia, DC, Maryland, and North Carolina?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024, Bus Drivers earn an annual median of $50K in Virginia (range $38K–$68K), $62K in DC ($48K–$84K), $56K in Maryland ($42K–$76K), and $44K in North Carolina ($34K–$60K).
How do you become a Bus Driver?
Transit Agency Hiring (WMATA, MTA, etc.): Major transit agencies run their own CDL training and hiring programs. WMATA, MTA Maryland, Hampton Roads Transit, GoTriangle. Pay-while-you-learn during training.
How long is Bus Driver apprenticeship in Virginia, DC, Maryland, or North Carolina?
1-2 years to fully solo with route choice. Bus driver progression is largely employer-internal. Transit agencies have step pay raises and senior driver designations. School districts pay by experience step. ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) represents most transit drivers.
Is Bus Driver a good career path for someone with a record?
Bus driver work runs formal background checks because of passenger contact (especially for school bus drivers — most states require fingerprint-based checks). Driving violations and DUI/DWI typically disqualify. School bus drivers face the strictest screening; transit agencies are more case-by-case. Some recent felony convictions disqualify automatically; others depend on the offense and time elapsed.