Last updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025, Georgia certification rules: GA State Board Rule 160-5-3-.08, Georgia certification rules: Georgia DDS School Bus Endorsement, Georgia certification rules: Georgia DDS ELDT page, each employer's source, linked in the tables below
Georgia school bus driver pay by district
About 16,880 school bus drivers work in Georgia. The middle (median) driver earns $21.61/hr ($44,950/yr), according to the BLS. Below, 11 districts and bus companies are ranked by their own published starting pay.
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Districts ranked by starting pay
- $29.09/hr to start · top $41.80/hr — Marietta City Schools (Cobb County · 2026-27)
- $28.69/hr to start · top $38.24/hr — Cobb County School District (Cobb County · 2026-27)
- $26.29/hr to start · top $36.73/hr — City Schools of Decatur (DeKalb County · 2026-27)
- $25.21/hr to start — Clayton County Public Schools (Clayton County · 2026-27)
- $24.69/hr to start — Cherokee County School District (Cherokee County · 2026-27)
- $24.13/hr to start — Fulton County Schools (Fulton County · 2026-27)
- $22.44/hr to start · top $31.00/hr — Gwinnett County Public Schools (Gwinnett County · 2026-27)
- $21.89/hr to start · top $25.80/hr — Henry County Schools (Henry County · 2026-27)
- $21.85/hr to start · top $25.20/hr — First Student — Dalton (Whitfield County · 2026)
- $21.68/hr to start · top $31.02/hr — DeKalb County School District (DeKalb County · 2026-27)
- $21.02/hr to start · top $34.37/hr — Forsyth County Schools (Forsyth County · 2026-27)
Pay range statewide (BLS, May 2025)
| Bottom 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | Top 10% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $9.97 | $13.26 | $21.61 | $24.28 | $29.84 |
| Yearly | $20,740 | $27,570 | $44,950 | $50,490 | $62,060 |
Compare by county
Full details for every Georgia employer
| Employer | Start $/hr | Top $/hr | Sign-on bonus | Paid CDL training | Guaranteed hours | Summer pay | Pay year / notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwinnett County Public Schools Gwinnett County, GA · Gwinnett County · District |
$22.44 | $31.00 | not stated | Yes | Guaranteed hours (amount not stated); most work 6–8 hrs/day Mid-day break ~9:30–1:30 | Summers off (pay over summer not stated) | 2026-27 "100% Fully Paid" CDL training at full pay; no Social Security deduction (5% more take-home). Top shown as "$31+". | GCPS bus driver page checked 2026-10-30 |
| Cobb County School District Cobb County (Marietta), GA · Cobb County · District |
$28.69 | $38.24 | not stated | Yes | not stated ~6 hrs/day split shift; 177 days | Yes — 15% of each check held back and paid over summer | 2026-27 | 2026-27 transportation salary schedule Become a School Bus Driver page checked 2026-10-30 |
| Fulton County Schools Fulton County, GA · Fulton County · District |
$24.13 | not stated | not stated | Yes | not stated 6 hrs/day = full time with benefits | not stated | 2026-27 Up to $27.80/hr to start with verified passenger-driving experience. | Become an FCS Bus Driver page checked 2026-10-30 |
| DeKalb County School District DeKalb County, GA · DeKalb County · District |
$21.68 | $31.02 | not stated | not stated | not stated 180 days × 6 hrs/day | not stated | 2026-27 | 2026-27 bus driver salary schedule checked 2026-10-30 |
| Forsyth County Schools Forsyth County (Cumming), GA · Forsyth County · District |
$21.02 | $34.37 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2026-27 | 2026-27 transportation salary schedule checked 2026-10-30 |
| Cherokee County School District Cherokee County (Canton), GA · Cherokee County · District |
$24.69 | not stated | not stated | Yes | not stated 180-day calendar | not stated | 2026-27 | Join the Transportation Team page checked 2026-10-30 |
| Clayton County Public Schools Clayton County (Jonesboro), GA · Clayton County · District |
$25.21 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated 6-hr workday | not stated | 2026-27 | Recruitment page checked 2026-10-30 |
| Henry County Schools Henry County (McDonough), GA · Henry County · District |
$21.89 | $25.80 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2026-27 | 2026-27 salary schedule checked 2026-10-30 |
| First Student — Dalton Dalton (Whitfield County), GA · Whitfield County · Contractor |
$21.85 | $25.20 | $500 permit (CLP) bonus within 7 days; $200 within 14 | Yes | 5 hrs/day | not stated | 2026 Permit bonus offer ends 12/31/26. | First Student posting JR14224 checked 2026-10-30 |
| Marietta City Schools Cobb County (City of Marietta), GA · Cobb County · District |
$29.09 | $41.80 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2026-27 City school system inside Cobb County. Substitute driver rate also $29.09. | FY27 transportation salary schedule checked 2026-10-30 |
| City Schools of Decatur DeKalb County (City of Decatur), GA · DeKalb County · District |
$26.29 | $36.73 | not stated | not stated | not stated 185 days × 6 hrs | not stated | 2026-27 City school system inside DeKalb County. | FY2026-27 bus driver salary schedule checked 2026-10-30 |
Pay by metro area (BLS)
| Area | Drivers | Median $/hr | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | not stated | $22.42 | $7.85 | $22.42 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 260 | $23.38 | $11.21 | $30.59 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 11190 | $22.75 | $10.75 | $29.84 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 460 | $10.20 | $7.93 | $17.82 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | 190 | $18.91 | $8.07 | $24.08 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 870 | $20.42 | $11.83 | $23.88 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 510 | $21.61 | $8.14 | $22.18 |
| Gainesville, GA | not stated | $21.92 | $8.36 | $27.01 |
| Hinesville, GA | 60 | $23.84 | $17.31 | $23.84 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | not stated | $18.56 | $7.98 | $24.64 |
| Rome, GA | not stated | $22.55 | $7.99 | $26.22 |
| Savannah, GA | 370 | $13.55 | $11.11 | $22.10 |
| Valdosta, GA | 220 | $21.89 | $8.85 | $47.65 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 320 | $17.24 | $10.57 | $24.29 |
| North Georgia nonmetropolitan area | 880 | $18.53 | $8.01 | $23.75 |
| Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | 650 | $18.24 | $8.07 | $22.94 |
| East Georgia nonmetropolitan area | 290 | $15.72 | $8.00 | $22.77 |
| South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | 660 | $13.55 | $7.52 | $23.26 |
How to become a school bus driver in Georgia
- You need a Georgia CDL (Class A, B or C) with the S endorsement (P is also required by most districts), and you must pass the S knowledge test and the school bus skills test.
- Before driving students, new drivers complete a GaDOE-approved pre-service program of at least 24 hours (the state manual splits it into 12 classroom hours, 6 behind-the-wheel without students and 6 with students).
- First-time S or P applicants must also complete federal ELDT before the skills test.
Looking for an employer that pays while you train? See paid CDL training in Georgia.
Federal rules that apply in every state
- Since Feb 7, 2022, anyone getting a P (passenger) or S (school bus) endorsement for the first time must finish Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry before the skills test.
- ELDT has two parts: online/classroom theory (80% passing score on the assessment) and behind-the-wheel training. S-endorsement training must use a representative school bus.
- There is no federal minimum number of hours; the provider certifies you are proficient.
- Use FMCSA's Find a Provider search, filtered to your state and "School Bus," to find a registered trainer.
Need the ELDT theory part for an upgrade or new endorsement? One option is DLA Academy's online theory courses (promo code ANDREW). Check that any provider is on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry first. Affiliate link: School Bus Pay may earn a commission if you sign up through it. Listing it isn't an endorsement of any school.
Frequently asked questions
How much do school bus drivers make in Georgia?
The BLS median for school bus drivers in Georgia is $21.61/hr ($44,950/yr), with the bottom 10% at $9.97 and the top 10% at $29.84 (OEWS May 2025). Among the 11 Georgia employers we list with a published starting rate, starting pay runs from $21.02/hr (Forsyth County Schools) to $29.09/hr (Marietta City Schools).
Which Georgia district pays school bus drivers the most?
Marietta City Schools has the highest starting rate we found in Georgia, at $29.09/hr (2026-27). The highest top-of-scale rate is $41.80/hr at Marietta City Schools. Each figure links to the employer's own salary schedule or posting in the list above.
Which Georgia employers offer paid CDL training?
5 Georgia employers we list say on their own page or posting that training is paid: Gwinnett County Public Schools, Cobb County School District, Fulton County Schools, Cherokee County School District, First Student — Dalton. The rest don't say either way. See our paid CDL training list.
How do you become a school bus driver in Georgia?
You need a Georgia CDL (Class A, B or C) with the S endorsement (P is also required by most districts), and you must pass the S knowledge test and the school bus skills test. New P or S endorsement holders must also finish federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) first.
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