Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers
Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
Table of contents
What they do
Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers maintain the cleanliness of the bus or motor coach. They inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
A typical day for a Transit and Intercity Bus Driver will also include:
- 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.
- Read maps to plan bus routes.
- Record information, such as cash receipts and ticket fares, and maintain a logbook.
- Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers also make minor repairs to vehicles and change tires. They may also load and unload baggage in baggage compartments.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers handle passenger emergencies or disruptions. They might also read maps to plan bus routes.
In addition, they report delays or accidents.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them advise passengers to be seated and orderly while on vehicles.
To some Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers, it is also their responsibility to assist passengers, such as elderly or disabled individuals, on and off the bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
52% said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Salary is below average.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $28,330 to $35,160 per year or $14 to $17 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $72,750 | $35 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $60,630 | $29 |
| Median | $45,900 | $22 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $35,160 | $17 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $28,330 | $14 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| State Government | $62650 | $30.12 |
| Performing Arts Companies | $62450 | $30.02 |
| Local Government | $54330 | $26.12 |
| Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation | $44120 | $21.21 |
| Employment Services | $43620 | $20.97 |
| Urban Transit Systems | $43320 | $20.83 |
| Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing | $42770 | $20.56 |
| Civic and Social Organizations | $41150 | $19.78 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation | $40180 | $19.32 |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land | $39720 | $19.10 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Transit and Intercity Bus Drivers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government | 77870 | $54330 | $26.12 |
| Urban Transit Systems | 25050 | $43320 | $20.83 |
| Charter Bus Industry | 12590 | $38440 | $18.48 |
| Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation | 10400 | $38130 | $18.33 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation | 9780 | $40180 | $19.32 |
| Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation | 7560 | $44120 | $21.21 |
| State Government | 6740 | $62650 | $30.12 |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land | 2350 | $39720 | $19.10 |
| Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services | 1490 | $38160 | $18.35 |
| Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing | 1320 | $42770 | $20.56 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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