Bus drivers, school

Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.

AI Resistance Index 54 of 99

In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 54% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +0.7% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on ethical judgement and emotional intelligence.

AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.

Median pay (2025): $47,920
Job growth to 2035: +0.7%
Openings a year: 56,500
People doing it (2025): 397,000
Usual route in: High school diploma, then short on-the-job training

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Where people already use AI for this work

Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists
Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
Communicate with others about operational plans or activities

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Operate transportation equipment or vehicles
Notify others of emergencies or problems
Maintain operational records

What the work looks like

Comply with traffic regulations to operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
Follow safety rules as students board and exit buses or cross streets near bus stops.
Check the condition of a vehicle's tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights, oil, fuel, water, and safety equipment to ensure that everything is in working order.
Report any bus malfunctions or needed repairs.
Pick up and drop off students at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations, following strict time schedules.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as public school enrollment declines, resulting in less demand for school bus transportation.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Bus drivers, transit and intercityHuman edge, growing, Index 68, +4.1%
Shuttle drivers and chauffeursHuman edge, growing, Index 87, +7.1%
Farm labor contractorsHuman edge, growing, Index 82, +7.4%
Taxi driversHuman edge, growing, Index 81, +11.5%

Also known as: Public School Bus Driver, School Bus Driver, SPED Bus Driver (Special Education Bus Driver), Student Driver, Bus Drive Coordinator, Bus Driver Route Coordinator, CDL Bus Driver (Commercial Driver's License Bus Driver), School Van Driver.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.