Bus and Coach Drivers
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
BLS SOC 53-3052 · O*NET-SOC 53-3052.00 · BLS 2025–2035 · O*NET 31.0
Median annual wage, 2025
$59,050
Projected change, 2025–2035
4.1%
2025–2035 annual average openings
21,100
AI exposure
Moderate
Editorial analysis
Autonomy is possible, but passengers change the problem
Bus driving appears at first to be a straightforward target for autonomous vehicles because many routes are repeated every day. In practice, public roads are filled with pedestrians, bicycles, construction, emergency vehicles, bad weather, double-parked cars, temporary detours, and human behavior that does not follow the route map.
The driver does more than steer
Drivers monitor passengers, assist people with mobility needs, respond to disturbances, provide basic information, handle unusual stops, and make safety decisions when conditions change. Coach drivers may also manage luggage, passenger expectations, long-distance schedules, and unfamiliar destinations.
- Driver-assistance systems can reduce some collision risks and workload.
- AI can improve routing, scheduling, maintenance, and dispatch.
- Closed or highly controlled routes may automate sooner than complex public streets.
- Passenger safety, emergency response, accessibility assistance, and unpredictable road conditions slow full automation.
The occupation may change gradually rather than disappear suddenly. Drivers may supervise more automated vehicle functions while remaining responsible for passengers and unusual conditions, especially during the long transition between conventional and fully autonomous transit.
Labor-market picture
Two measures, different questions
These measures offer two different ways to understand the occupation: BLS projections show how national employment may change over time, while relative AI exposure highlights where tasks may intersect with AI-related capabilities. Read them with the work profile and your local context to decide what deserves closer investigation.
Employment
- Employment, 2025
- 166,400 jobs
- Projected employment, 2035
- 173,300 jobs
- Projected change, 2025–2035
- 6,900 jobs (4.1%)
Relative AI exposure
BLS category: Moderate. This is a relative task-exposure classification, not a forecast of employment change, automation, wages, or worker replacement.
Relative AI exposure · Moderate
Work profile
Representative tasks
These task statements come from O*NET 31.0. They are source facts, not labels assigned by the AI exposure measure.
- 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.
Skills that matter
Skills in the source profile
Importance uses O*NET's 1–5 scale. Level uses its 0–7 scale. Select a skill to see its source definition and reported values.
Technology and tools
These technology records come from O*NET and show software or tools reported in the occupation profile. They describe work context, not a required checklist for every employer.
- Map creation software
- Operating system software
- Internet browser software
Preparation
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
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Ask Dr. Morgan Reed about this evidence
Morgan is the JobShift Atlas analyst powered by AI. Answers draw from the evidence on this page and explain what it can tell you.
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Source provenance
Labor-market and exposure facts: bls-ep-2025-35. Work profile: onet-31.0. Verify release details on the Sources page.