Texas Career Check. Education & Career Planning

Occupation Summary

Bus Drivers, School

O*NET 53-3051.00

Description:

Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.

Annual Wages:
$42,709.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 14.33%.
Education Level:
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service

  1. Check the condition of a vehicle's tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights, oil, fuel, water, and safety equipment to ensure that everything is in working order.
  2. Comply with traffic regulations to operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
  3. Drive gasoline, diesel, or electrically powered multi-passenger vehicles to transport students between neighborhoods, schools, and school activities.
  4. Escort small children across roads and highways.
  5. Follow safety rules as students board and exit buses or cross streets near bus stops.
  6. Keep bus interiors clean for students.
  7. Maintain knowledge of first-aid procedures.
  8. Maintain order among students during trips to ensure safety.
  9. Make minor repairs to vehicles.
  10. Pick up and drop off students at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations, following strict time schedules.
  11. Prepare and submit reports that may include the number of students or trips, hours worked, mileage, or fuel consumption.
  12. Read maps and follow written and verbal geographic directions.
  13. Record bus routes.
  14. Regulate heating, lighting, and ventilation systems for student comfort.
  15. Report any bus malfunctions or needed repairs.
  16. Report delays, accidents, or other traffic and transportation situations, using telephones or mobile two-way radios.
  17. Report delinquent student behaviors to school administration.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Bus Drivers, School employed Annual Growth Rate
Elementary and secondary schools 53.3 -0.05
School and employee bus transportation 32.3 0.29


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $20.53
2024 National average hourly wage $22.44
2022 National employment 358,800
2022 Texas employment 28,247
Texas projected employment by 2032 32,295
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 4,993




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.





Other Activities


No work importance values found.



Tools

Automotive doors: Powered service doors;
Bar code reader equipment: Barcode scanners;
Busses: Passenger buses;
Emergency vehicle exits: Emergency exit doors;
Exterior automobile lighting: Bus warning lights;
Fire extinguishers: Portable fire extinguishers;
Global positioning system GPS receiver: Global positioning system GPS receivers;
Lifts: Wheelchair lifts;
Mobile medical services first aid kits: Emergency first-aid kits;
Mobile phones: Cell phones;
Portable data input terminals: On-board data input terminals;
Radio frequency identification devices: Radio frequency identification RFID devices;
Security cameras: Digital surveillance camera systems;
Tire pressure gauge: Tire pressure gauges;
Two way radios: Two way radios;
Vehicle traction control systems: Snow chains;
Wheelchair accessories: Wheelchair restraint systems;


Technology

Internet browser software: Web browser software;
Map creation software: AOL MapQuest;
Operating system software: Microsoft Windows;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Bus Drivers, School include:
  • 53-3011.00 Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
  • 53-3052.00 Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
  • 33-9091.00 Crossing Guards and Flaggers
  • 43-5032.00 Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
  • 53-3033.00 Light Truck Drivers
  • 53-4031.00 Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
  • 33-9094.00 School Bus Monitors
  • 53-3053.00 Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
  • 53-4041.00 Subway and Streetcar Operators
  • 53-3054.00 Taxi Drivers


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about school bus drivers, visit: National School Transportation Association
  • National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services
  • For more information about transit bus drivers, visit: American Public Transportation Association
  • For more information about motorcoach drivers, visit: United Motorcoach Association
  • For more information about federal regulations for commercial bus drivers, visit: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 

    • Occupational Requirements Survey

  • For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
  • Bus drivers, school (PDF)
  • Bus Drivers, School
  • Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
    • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.