Career Explorer Transport and logistics
Human edge, growing
Bus drivers, transit and intercity
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 68% 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 +4.1% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on emotional intelligence.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $59,050
- Job growth to 2035
- +4.1%
- Openings a year
- 21,100
- People doing it (2025)
- 166,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Provide information to guests, clients, or customers
- Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists
- Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Operate transportation equipment or vehicles
- Inspect vehicles
- Intervene in crisis situations or emergencies
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Shuttle drivers and chauffeursHuman edge, growing, Index 87, +7.1%
- Taxi driversHuman edge, growing, Index 81, +11.5%
- OrderliesHuman edge, growing, Index 98, +4.0%
- Subway and streetcar operatorsHuman edge, growing, Index 70, +3.7%
Also known as: Bus Driver, Bus Operator, Motor Coach Operator, Transit Bus Driver, Charter Bus Driver, Coach Operator, Motor Coach Driver, Transit Coach Operator.
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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.