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School Driver Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Now Hiring Part-Time School White Van Driver for Yermo-Silver Valley, CA Why join as a School Bus Driver? For many reasons * $22.50HR starting wage; depending on experience * $16.90 BTW training wage*

New

Now Hiring Part-Time School White Van Driver for Yermo-Silver Valley, CA Why join as a School Bus Driver? For many reasons * $22.50HR starting wage; depending on experience * $16.90 BTW training wage*

New

Now Hiring Part-Time School White Van Driver for Yermo-Silver Valley, CA Why join as a School Bus Driver? For many reasons * $22.50HR starting wage; depending on experience * $16.90 BTW training wage*

New

School Van Driver

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

School Van Driver Pay Range: $18.00-$21.00/hourly Point Quest is Hiring School Drivers: $19.00-21.00/hour | Full-Time | Sacramento, CA | Monday-Friday | Split Shift About the Role: Provide safe and ...

School Van Driver

El Dorado Hills, CA · On-site

$18.50 - $21/hr

School Van Driver Pay Range: $18.50-$21.00/hour Point Quest is Hiring School Drivers: $18.50-21.00/hour | Full-Time | Elk Grove, Roseville, Sacramento, and surrounding areas | Monday-Friday | Split ...

School Van Driver

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

School Van Driver Pay Range: $18.00-$21.00/hourly Point Quest is Hiring School Drivers: $19.00-21.00/hour | Full-Time | Sacramento, CA | Monday-Friday | Split Shift About the Role: Provide safe and ...

School Van Driver

El Dorado Hills, CA · On-site

$18.50 - $21/hr

School Van Driver Pay Range: $18.50-$21.00/hour Point Quest is Hiring School Drivers: $18.50-21.00/hour | Full-Time | Elk Grove, Roseville, Sacramento, and surrounding areas | Monday-Friday | Split ...

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School Driver information

See California salary details

$9

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$29

How much do school driver jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for school driver in California is $20.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $23.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a school driver?

School drivers are professionals responsible for safely transporting students to and from school and related activities using school buses or other authorized vehicles. They ensure that students follow safety protocols, maintain timely schedules, and perform regular vehicle safety checks. School drivers must hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) with appropriate endorsements, and they often undergo background checks and specialized training to handle emergencies and manage student behavior during transit.

What are some common challenges school drivers face during their daily routes?

School Drivers often encounter challenges such as managing tight schedules while ensuring student safety, dealing with unpredictable traffic conditions, and maintaining discipline among students on the bus. They must also remain vigilant about weather-related hazards and follow strict protocols for pick-up and drop-off procedures. Building positive relationships with students and school staff helps address these challenges while fostering a safe and respectful environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a school driver, and why are they important?

To thrive as a School Driver, you need a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL), a clean driving record, and knowledge of local traffic laws and safety regulations. Familiarity with school bus operating systems, routine vehicle inspections, and sometimes first aid certification are typically required. Strong communication, patience, and reliability are important soft skills for safely interacting with students and maintaining schedules. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure the safe, punctual, and responsible transportation of students every day.

What is the difference between School Driver vs Bus Driver?

AspectSchool DriverBus Driver
CredentialsCommercial Driver's License (CDL), school bus endorsementCommercial Driver's License (CDL), passenger endorsement
Work EnvironmentSchool campuses, designated routes for studentsPublic or private bus routes, various locations
Employer & IndustrySchool districts, educational institutionsTransportation companies, school districts, transit agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for school transportation rolesBroader passenger transport jobs

School Drivers and Bus Drivers both operate passenger vehicles requiring similar licenses and work in transportation settings. However, School Drivers specifically focus on transporting students within school districts, often following designated routes and schedules. Bus Drivers may serve a wider range of passenger transport roles, including public transit or charter services. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right role in the transportation industry.

How much are school drivers paid?

School drivers in Florida typically earn between $12 and $20 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and the school district. Pay rates may also vary based on full-time or part-time status and additional responsibilities such as bus maintenance or special needs transportation.

Is it worth it to become a school driver?

School drivers transport students safely to and from school, often working part-time with flexible hours. The job typically requires a valid driver's license, a clean driving record, and sometimes a background check or special certifications. It can be a stable job with benefits depending on the employer and location, but wages are generally modest compared to other driving roles.

What is the most a school driver can make?

School drivers' salaries vary by location and experience, but they typically earn between $20,000 and $40,000 annually. Experienced drivers with additional certifications or routes may earn higher wages, especially with overtime or special assignments.
Infographic showing various School Driver job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,238 per year, or $20.8 per hour.

White Van School Driver

First Student

Yermo, CA • On-site

$22.50/hr

Part-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


First Student rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

First Student

Based on 319 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6.2

Company rating compared to similar companies: 6.2 out of 10

Education support services average

Based on 2,879 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

The best things about working at First Student

  • 89%

    89% of students say it’s good

    of students say it’s good

  • 88%

    88% say they enjoy their job

    say they enjoy their job

  • 87%

    87% of parents and care-givers say it’s good

    of parents and care-givers say it’s good

Featured by First Student, based on 319 Breakroom Quiz responses from their frontline employees


Job description

Now Hiring Part-Time School White Van Driver for Yermo-Silver Valley, CA


Why join as a School Bus Driver? For many reasons
$22.50HR starting wage; depending on experience
$16.90 BTW training wage*
• No experience necessary! We train!
• Paid CDL training
• Hour's guarantee
• Paid holidays
• Additional hours available - charter route opportunities!
• Child ride along program
• No nights or weekends
About the School Bus Driver Position
• Join our team of professional drivers dedicated to getting students to and from school safely
• Drivers enjoy the support of our industry leading technology to guide them through their daily routes
• Prioritize vehicle maintenance by conducting pre and post trip vehicle inspections
• Provide support to students by assisting with boarding and exiting the bus
School Bus Driver Qualifications
• Good verbal communication skills
• At least 21 years old
• Valid driver's license for at least 3 years
• Be subject to a drug screen and physical


*Conditions apply. See location for details.

Language Requirement
This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.


First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.


In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.

Company Description

About us
An industry leader famous for our yellow school buses and service and safety excellence, we’ve provided student transportation services to schools for over 100 years. Continually investing in the services of the future, we’re proud to be part of FirstGroup America – the largest provider of safe, reliable and sustainable surface passenger transportation services in North America.

Industry leader
We safely operate more than one third of all contracted school buses in North America.
Together our 50,000 school buses travel nearly 600 million miles per year — the equivalent of 1,200 round trips to the moon.
We operate in around 550 locations throughout 38 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces.

Innovation
We were the first school bus company to utilize global positioning systems (GPS), so at any one time we know where all of our buses are and how fast they’re travelling.
Passionate about safety, we’ve installed Safety Crossing Gates on the front of all of our school buses and use the Child Check-MateTM electronic reminder system to make sure no sleeping children remain inside a bus at the end of each route.

Awards & recognition
We won the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award from the National Safety Council two years in a row.
Dedicated to safety, FirstGroup received the National Safety Council’s (NSC) Green Cross for Safety Medal - the highest award for safety in North America.

Teamwork and trust
It takes a diverse team of skilled professionals to provide a safe, effective and efficient student transportation system. From our school bus drivers and location managers to routers, dispatchers and fleet technician mechanics, the work we do every day makes a big impact on the daily lives of students, parents, local communities and school district partners.

We’re very proud of our elite team of over 55,000 dedicated, caring and diverse professionals. And they are the #1 reason we’re trusted by over 1,400 school districts - more than any other provider. Everybody here plays their part in creating a positive school bus experience.

Our culture
We live and breathe our vision and values. They are embedded in our culture and drive our commitment to our customers and communities. Our culture fosters growth and promotes respect, reliability, responsibility and safety. And we recruit people who share these values and will work together to build strong and trusting partnerships in the communities we serve.

Safety – Although our safety record is twice as safe as the industry average, we continually seek out opportunities to enhance our operational and safety initiatives.
Learning – Through our learning culture that spans over 550 locations, we receive and share insight from our people to enhance our service now and in the future.
Making a difference - By doing our job well, we make a positive impact on many lives – including the millions of students who travel with us every school day.
Careers for all – We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Employer of Choice.
By consistently encouraging and supporting an open dialogue with our people and partners, we’re able to share new ideas and develop new ways to meet the needs of our customers and passengers. At First Student, you’ll feel empowered to serve your community. So join the team and start to make a difference.


Working at First Student

Perks for frontline workers

From First Student, via Breakroom

  • Competitive pay and paid training

  • Paid holidays, sick time, and paid time off

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage options

  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match

  • Career advancement opportunities, including operational, maintenance, management, and leadership roles

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including counseling and support services for personal and work-related issues

  • Community impact: Be a trusted figure for students and families

About First Student, in their own words

From First Student

At First Student, we are a team of 66,800 employees dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and efficient student transportation. As the leading student transportation provider in North America, we operate over 530+ locations across the U.S. and Canada. Our family of brands includes Transco, Total Transportation, Maggie’s Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation, helping create and implement the advanced training, technology, and transportation solutions our industry has to offer. Our company’s history is rooted in industry innovation, operational excellence, and a shared commitment to putting students first.

Company values

From First Student

• Focus on safety: Safety is at the heart of everything we do

• Foster teamwork: Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, and champion diversity and inclusion

• Care for our students: Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure

• Surpass customer expectations: Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities

• Set the highest standards: Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence


What First Student employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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