Fact brief: Is there a shortage of school bus drivers?

There is a national and local shortage of school bus drivers because of low pay, the pandemic, split shifts, the commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirement and the extra training required for an increasing number of special needs students.

As of September 2024, there were 12.2% fewer drivers nationwide compared to September 2019.

In 2023, a school bus driver earned 43% less than the median weekly wage, in part because most drivers work just 32 hours a week. 

When schools closed during the pandemic, thousands of drivers left the work force and did not return. In 2019, 72% of drivers were over 50.

The split shift requirement makes it unpopular as a second job.

Drivers are also required to have a CDL, which takes 12 weeks to complete and costs about $3,500 or more. Also, there are more students with special needs, which requires more specialty training.