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Bus Drivers, School

The short answer

Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 10,435 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.

How much AI could touch this job

Middleband 3 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 35% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Prepare and submit reports that may include the number of students or trips, hours worked, mileage, or fuel consumption.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  2. Maintain knowledge of first-aid procedures.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  3. Record bus routes.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  4. Report delays, accidents, or other traffic and transportation situations, using telephones or mobile two-way radios.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  5. Read maps and follow written and verbal geographic directions.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Comply with traffic regulations to operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Follow safety rules as students board and exit buses or cross streets near bus stops.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. 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.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Report any bus malfunctions or needed repairs.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Pick up and drop off students at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations, following strict time schedules.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

    Very similar work
    +49% pay3,323 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 49% more—$86,327 vs your $57,878 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Transportation
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Far Vision
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Reaction Time

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

    Very similar work
    +10% pay6,874 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 10% more—$63,406 vs your $57,878 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Transportation
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Far Vision
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Reaction Time

    New skills to build

    • Repairing
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Static Strength
    • Operation and Control
    • Speed of Limb Movement
  • Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

    Similar work
    +41% pay720 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 41% more—$81,747 vs your $57,878 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Transportation
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Far Vision
    • Near Vision
    • Reaction Time

    New skills to build

    • Management of Personnel Resources
    • Systems Evaluation
    • Coordination
    • Systems Analysis
    • Oral Expression
  • Air Traffic Controllers

    Similar work
    +156% pay156 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 156% more—$148,137 vs your $57,878 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires an associate's degree, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Transportation
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Far Vision
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Speed of Closure
    • Time Sharing
    • Selective Attention
    • Oral Expression
    • Flexibility of Closure
  • Commercial Pilots

    Similar work
    +213% pay126 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 213% more—$181,318 vs your $57,878 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Transportation
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Far Vision
    • Public Safety and Security
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Physics
    • Active Learning
  • Locomotive Engineers

    Similar work
    +93% pay111 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 93% more—$111,616 vs your $57,878 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Transportation
    • Far Vision
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Reaction Time
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Selective Attention
    • Perceptual Speed
    • Flexibility of Closure