School Bus Monitor Salary 2025: $35,100 Median, Outlook & How to Start
School Bus Monitors earn a national median salary of $35,100 per year, or about $17 per hour, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The typical range falls between $28,130 at the 10th percentile and $43,250 at the 90th percentile, meaning most monitors earn within that band. With 78,420 people employed in the occupation, it's a modest-sized role supporting student safety across the country.
How much School Bus Monitors earn
The median annual wage for School Bus Monitors is $35,100, with a mean wage of $35,150. That translates to roughly $17 an hour. Entry-level monitors (10th percentile) earn about $28,130, while top earners (90th percentile) make up to $43,250. These are BLS estimates and reflect full-time, year-round workers.
Pay by state
Pay varies considerably by location. The highest-paying state is Washington, where School Bus Monitors average $42,330 per year. Next are District of Columbia ($41,720), Oregon ($40,900), Hawaii ($40,250), and Vermont ($39,020). On the lower end, monitors in South Carolina earn $26,240 on average, Louisiana $25,250, and Mississippi $23,500 — all well below the national median.
Many school districts also offer benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, though those are not captured in wage data.
How to become a School Bus Monitor
The path is straightforward. You typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers provide on-the-job training. Requirements usually include passing a background check (fingerprinting and child abuse clearance), a valid driver's license, and sometimes a First Aid/CPR certification. School districts or private bus companies are the primary employers. Some positions may require completion of a state-approved training course covering student behavior management and safety procedures.
- Minimum age: often 18 or 21 depending on state/district.
- Background check: required by federal and state law for school employees.
- Training: typical on-the-job training lasts a few days to a couple of weeks.
- Certification: First Aid/CPR recommended, occasionally required.
Job outlook
Employment for School Bus Monitors is projected to decline by 2.7% from 2024 to 2034, a loss of about 12,600 openings per year on average. Most openings will be to replace workers who leave the occupation, not from growth. The decline is linked to school district budget pressures and potential shifts to remote learning or technology-assisted monitoring. Despite the negative growth, turnover is steady because the job is often part-time or split-shift, so openings still arise each year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average School Bus Monitor salary in 2025?
The national median salary is $35,100 per year, or about $17 per hour. Most earn between $28,130 and $43,250.
What education do you need to become a School Bus Monitor?
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. On-the-job training is provided, and you'll need to pass a background check. Some states or districts require a First Aid/CPR certification.
Is being a School Bus Monitor a growing career?
No — the BLS projects a 2.7% decline in employment from 2024 to 2034. However, about 12,600 openings occur each year due to workers leaving the field, so opportunities exist.
Which states pay School Bus Monitors the most?
Washington ($42,330), District of Columbia ($41,720), Oregon ($40,900), Hawaii ($40,250), and Vermont ($39,020).
Do School Bus Monitors get benefits?
Many positions offer benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, especially when employed directly by school districts. Part-time roles may have limited benefits.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full School Bus Monitors data.