BUS DRIVER

Wages for school bus drivers tend to be set by school district contract, but the median wage according to 2000 statistics was $10.67 per hour. City and rural bus drivers tend to have contracts, and the 2000 median wage was $12.36 per hour. City drivers tend to earn more than those in rural areas. Charter drivers are at the bottom of the scale, with a 2000 median wage of $10.27 per hour.

Depending upon the job, bus drivers will likely be protected by some type of union. School drivers in many states are covered by state employee guidelines that entitle them to sick leave and participation in the employee pension system. Benefits for city drivers tend to include sick and vacation leave and participation with a union such as the Amalgamated Transit Union. Coach drivers belong to the United Transportation Union or the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which help establish benefits such as sick and vacation leave.