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Driver, Light Rail Transit Operator, LRT Operator, Motor Coach Driver, School Bus Driver, Subway Train Operator, Transit Operator
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Bus drivers’ duties vary depending on the type of bus and service. In general, bus drivers:
Specific types of bus drivers have additional duties:
All drivers must deal with difficult passengers. They also face hazards like bad weather, poor driving surfaces, and heavy traffic.
Bus drivers may work shifts that include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
School bus drivers work weekdays before and after school hours. They may drive students on field trips during or outside of school hours. Drivers who transport special-needs students must load and unload equipment like wheelchairs. They may lift children into their bus seats.
Transit bus drivers and motor coach drivers often work changing shifts for years before getting regular routes and shifts. Many transit bus drivers work part time or split shifts. There can be schedule changes on short notice.
Drivers working for long-distance bus lines and tour companies may load and unload luggage and parcels weighing up to 45 kilograms.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Bus and streetcar drivers
2023 OaSIS: 73301.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Bus drivers need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 103 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Aug 25, 2023 and Oct 07, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Report delays, mechanical problems and accidents | 85 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Perform pre-trip, en route and post-trip inspection and oversee all aspects of vehicle | 84 |
| Tasks: Operate buses, school busses or streetcars to transport passengers | 82 |
| Tasks: Complete logbooks and reports | 57 |
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 54 |
| Tasks: Communicate with passengers, dispatchers or other drivers using two-way radio systems | 54 |
| Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years | 53 |
| Tasks: Direct passengers during emergency evacuation procedures | 53 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Driver's Licence (Class 2 or B or C) | 51 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 48 |
There are no standard educational requirements for bus drivers. However, specific driver training is required.
Alberta uses a system of classified driver licensing. It sets medical standards, including drug screening. It also sets licensing requirements for handling specific types of vehicles. Drivers seeking a Class 2 (bus) driver’s license are required to complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) to apply for their commercial license.
Employers may provide the training required to allow newly hired bus drivers to upgrade their licences. In Alberta, that means changing from a Class 5 operator’s licence to the required Class 2 level. Depending on the type of bus, an air brakes endorsement may be needed as well. Some bus lines require motor coach drivers to have a Class 1 licence.
Many bus and transit companies provide 3- to 6-week training programs. They cover important aspects of driving such as:
In Alberta, Class 2 school bus driving programs are offered by some public colleges and private vocational schools. Program length, cost, and admission requirements vary. Students should be at least 18 years old. They should have a valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence. Other requirements may include:
Before enrolling in a program, prospective students should talk with bus drivers and employers about training and employment options.
Applicants must pass a pre-employment medical or physical demands check. They must be physically able to do inspection checks, minor maintenance duties, and shoulder checks when driving. Individual employers may also require applicants to:
Employers prefer to hire bus drivers who have:
For a list of driving schools in Alberta, please go to the Alberta Transportation website.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Bus drivers work for:
Most positions are part time or seasonal.
Large transit systems and motor coach companies may use video-based selection tools and written tests to screen job applicants.
With experience and initiative, some drivers move into other positions in related areas. These include dispatching, office management, safety, training, and vehicle maintenance.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
2016 NOC: 7512
82.9% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Bus drivers’ earnings vary depending on location and employer. Motor coach drivers may earn hourly wages or flat fees on a contract basis for tours and special charters. Long-distance drivers may be paid by the mile. School bus drivers may have different rates of pay based on whether they have a fixed route or a special-needs route. They work about 180 days a year and are paid on a daily or flat-rate basis.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.50 | $26.04 | $21.44 | $22.50 |
| Overall | $16.34 | $36.83 | $25.15 | $25.00 |
| Top | $18.50 | $37.18 | $27.12 | $25.40 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $37,477 |
|---|---|
| Retail Trade | $34,828 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $18,730 |
| Educational Services | $21,011 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $34,828 |
| Public Administration | $70,679 |
Updated Mar 21, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
