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Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in California

Thinking about a career as a Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in California? Here’s what the data says. Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.

What do Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Make in California?

The bus drivers, transit and intercity working in California, the typical annual salary is $62,430 per year (or about $30.02/hour).Pay can range from $47,570 at the 10th percentile to $89,180 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$47,570	$22.87
25th percentile	$53,260	$25.61
Median (50th)	$62,430	$30.02
75th percentile	$79,440	$38.19
90th percentile	$89,180	$42.88

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California nationwide is 1.35, suggesting that bus drivers, transit and intercity are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, bus drivers, transit and intercity earn a median of $31,743 per year ($15.26/hour), exceeding the California median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 1,247,703 bus drivers, transit and intercity nationwide. In California alone, around 23,500 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,970 bus drivers, transit and intercity.

Top California Metros for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

The metro areas below employ the most bus drivers, transit and intercity in California.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	9,800	$65,100
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	5,410	$79,440
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	1,810	$59,640
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	1,380	$55,330
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	870	$54,870
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	340	$46,760
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	190	$80,870
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	180	$48,500
Salinas, CA	170	$69,560
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	150	$56,860

Top States for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Employment

These states have the highest employment of bus drivers, transit and intercity work.

State	Number Employed
California	23,500
New York	16,550
Texas	9,510
Florida	7,620
Illinois	7,580
Washington	7,100
New Jersey	5,850
Maryland	4,680
Pennsylvania	4,300
Virginia	4,040
Massachusetts	3,850
Ohio	3,730
Colorado	3,310
Georgia	3,180
Michigan	3,080
Arizona	2,850
Oregon	2,730
Nevada	2,520
North Carolina	2,460
Kentucky	2,410

Highest-Paying States for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

Where bus drivers, transit and intercity earn the most: bus drivers, transit and intercity.

State	Annual Median Salary
New York	$82,420
Washington	$70,360
Illinois	$69,950
Maryland	$69,440
Hawaii	$69,090
Oregon	$62,900
Massachusetts	$62,870
California	$62,430
Alaska	$62,300
New Jersey	$62,200

Skills

Key bus drivers, transit and intercity skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for bus drivers, transit and intercity, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks 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.
• Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
• Announce stops to passengers.
• Assist passengers, such as elderly or individuals with disabilities, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
• Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
• Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.
• Report delays or accidents.
• Advise passengers to be seated and orderly while on vehicles.
• Regulate heating, lighting, and ventilating systems for passenger comfort.
• Record information, such as cash receipts and ticket fares, and maintain log book.
• Maintain cleanliness of bus or motor coach.

Work Activities

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Training and Teaching Others
• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Windows

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

• Ground Transportation

Related Careers

Other careers like bus drivers, transit and intercity include:

• Transit and Railroad Police
• School Bus Monitors
• Baggage Porters and Bellhops
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
• Air Traffic Controllers

Also Known As

Bus Driver, Bus Operator, CDL Bus Driver (Commercial Driver's License Bus Driver), Charter Bus Driver, Charter Coach Driver, Charter Driver, City Bus Driver, Coach Operator, Courtesy Bus Driver, Day Haul Charter Bus Driver, Farm Charter Bus Driver, Interstate Bus Driver, Jitney Driver, Mobile Lounge Driver or Operator, Motor Bus Driver.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 53-3052.00