Last updated · Sources: First Student posting JR14224, BLS OEWS May 2025

First Student — Dalton school bus driver pay

First Student — Dalton pays school bus drivers $21.85–$25.20/hr (source: First Student posting JR14224; updated Oct 30, 2026).

Dalton (Whitfield County), Georgia. Everything below comes from the linked source, checked 2026-10-30. A blank means the source doesn't say.

Starting pay

$21.85/hr

2026

Top of scale

$25.20/hr

Sign-on bonus

$500 permit (CLP) bonus within 7 days; $200 within 14

Paid CDL training

Yes

Details

Employer typeContractor
AreaDalton (Whitfield County)
Pay year2026
Guaranteed hours5 hrs/day
Hours / daysnot stated
Summer paynot stated
Training paybacknot stated
NotesPermit bonus offer ends 12/31/26.

Sources

How it compares

The starting rate is $0.24 above the Georgia median for school bus drivers ($21.61/hr, BLS OEWS May 2025). The BLS median covers drivers at every experience level, so a new driver's rate is often below it.

Whitfield County employerStart $/hrTop $/hrSign-on bonus
First Student — Dalton (this page)$21.85$25.20$500 permit (CLP) bonus within 7 days; $200 within 14

Whitfield County comparison · Georgia school bus driver pay by district · Paid CDL training list · Split-shift calculator

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First Student — Dalton pays bus drivers $21.85–$25.20/hr — schoolbuspay.com
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Frequently asked questions

How much does First Student — Dalton pay school bus drivers?

Starting pay is $21.85/hr and the schedule tops out at $25.20/hr (2026), per First Student posting JR14224.

Does First Student — Dalton offer paid CDL training?

Yes, according to the source linked on this page.

Does First Student — Dalton offer a sign-on bonus for bus drivers?

Yes: $500 permit (CLP) bonus within 7 days; $200 within 14. Details and conditions are in the linked source (First Student posting JR14224).

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