Last updated · Sources: Become a Bus Driver page, BLS OEWS May 2025

New Hanover County Schools school bus driver pay

New Hanover County Schools pays school bus drivers from $18.87/hr for 2025-26 (source: Become a Bus Driver page; updated Oct 30, 2026). The top rate isn't published.

✓ Official source Updated · 1 official source
Compare with other districts
Correct this data

See a wrong or outdated number for New Hanover County Schools? Tell us and we'll check it against the source. Corrections are reviewed by a person and never published automatically.

New Hanover County (Wilmington), North Carolina. Everything below comes from the linked source, checked 2026-10-30. A blank means the source doesn't say.

Starting pay

$18.87/hr

2025-26

✓ Official source Become a Bus Driver page · Updated Oct 30, 2026

Top of scale

not stated

Sign-on bonus

$1,000 retention bonus

Paid CDL training

not stated

Details

Employer typeDistrict
AreaNew Hanover County (Wilmington)
Pay year2025-26
Guaranteed hoursnot stated
Hours / daysnot stated
Summer paynot stated
Training paybacknot stated
Notes$1,000 bonus for permanent drivers in good standing for 120 school days (district incentive page).

Sources

How it compares

The starting rate is $0.86 above the North Carolina median for school bus drivers ($18.01/hr, BLS OEWS May 2025). The BLS median covers drivers at every experience level, so a new driver's rate is often below it.

New Hanover County employerStart $/hrTop $/hrSign-on bonus
New Hanover County Schools (this page)$18.87not stated$1,000 retention bonus

New Hanover County comparison · North Carolina school bus driver pay by district · Paid CDL training list · Split-shift calculator · Compare side by side

Share this pay card

New Hanover County Schools pays bus drivers from $18.87/hr — schoolbuspay.com
Share on FacebookPost on XDownload image

Get an email when New Hanover County Schools pay changes

We recheck every district's pay source regularly. Sign up and you'll hear about new pay scales, raises and bonuses in The Bus Lot Weekly. Free, unsubscribe anytime.

What's it really like driving for New Hanover County Schools?

Be the first to share. No reviews yet for this district.

Share your experience (anonymous)
I am a

No names, please (yours or anyone else's). We read every review before it goes up, and we may edit out personal details. Nothing appears until it's approved.

Frequently asked questions

How much does New Hanover County Schools pay school bus drivers?

Starting pay is $18.87/hr (2025-26), per Become a Bus Driver page.

Does New Hanover County Schools offer a sign-on bonus for bus drivers?

Yes: $1,000 retention bonus. Details and conditions are in the linked source (Become a Bus Driver page).

The Bus Lot Weekly

New raises, sign-on bonuses and paid-training offers near you, every week. Free.

Free weekly email. Unsubscribe anytime.