Bus Drivers Wanted
Now Hiring
Make a Difference Every Day
If you want to make a difference in the lives of kids and you’re a safe driver, you should become a school bus driver! It’s a rewarding job and an excellent source of supplemental income.
We highly encourage drivers who already have their CDL to apply. No CDL? No problem. BISD offers paid training, and when you finish, you’ll be a CDL-licensed driver with the confidence and skills to be a valuable member of our Transportation team.
Paid CDL Training
We’ll train you to earn your Commercial Driver’s License, and you’re paid while you learn.
Competitive Pay
CDL-licensed route drivers earn $28.29 to $39.79 per hour.
Experience Counts
Bus driving experience with other public school districts counts toward your placement on our wage scale.
Excellent Benefits
Drivers hired for their own route qualify for excellent benefits.
Pay rates shown are for the 2025–26 school year.
How to Apply
Prepare your application materials
Bus driver applicants need:
- A cover letter
- A resume
- Three confidential references. You’ll list them in our online application system, and each person will automatically receive an email with a confidential reference form.
Apply through our online application system
Follow our step-by-step guide to creating an application. Questions? Email April Murray or call the district office at 206-842-4714.
Need application support in a language other than English? Email April Murray or call the district office at 206-842-4714.
Qualifications
Our drivers must meet requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Drivers:
- Have been licensed to drive for at least 5 years
- Have had a good driving record for the past 5 years
- Pass a background check
- Are drug free
- Are dependable and flexible
- Enjoy working with children
Pay & Training
Initial training is paid at minimum wage. Once you’re hired as a bus driver, additional training hours are paid at your hourly rate.
Substitute drivers earn $28.29 per hour. Once you’re hired for your own route, pay starts at $31.43 per hour and you qualify for excellent benefits. (2025–26 rates.)
For full details on pay and benefits, see the BIESPA collective bargaining agreement on our Negotiated Agreements page, and our Benefits page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a substitute driver and a regular driver?
A regular driver is assigned a route package. A substitute driver covers shifts when a regular driver can’t drive their route because of other assignments, illness and so on. Our substitute drivers are generally busy and are typically assigned work most days.
How many hours a day does a bus driver work?
Route packages range from about four hours up to eight hours a day, and routes are assigned by seniority.
The time between routes can be filled with other work in the district. If no other district job is available, the time in between is your own (unpaid), and many drivers do odd jobs or take care of personal matters.
How long does training take?
Training typically includes two weeks of classroom time (about three hours a day) and an average of 100 hours behind the wheel, plus independent study to prepare for the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exam, which varies by person.
From start to finish, training usually takes about 6–8 weeks. You’ll also need a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical and drug testing, and time to get your CDL driving permit before you drive.