Last updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025, South Carolina certification rules: SCDE School Bus Drivers page, South Carolina certification rules: SCDE SY2025-26 Driver Pay Scale memo, South Carolina certification rules: SCDE School Bus Driver Training Handbook, each employer's source, linked in the tables below
South Carolina school bus driver pay by district
About 5,900 school bus drivers work in South Carolina. The middle (median) driver earns $19.18/hr ($39,900/yr), according to the BLS. Below, 23 districts and bus companies are ranked by their own published starting pay.
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Districts ranked by starting pay
- $23.41/hr to start · top $25.90/hr — Greenville County Schools (Greenville County · 2026-27)
- $23.00/hr to start · top $34.73/hr — Charleston County School District (Charleston County · 2026-27)
- $22.75/hr to start · top $33.08/hr — First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island) (Charleston County · 2026)
- $22.70/hr to start · top $39.60/hr — Fort Mill School District 4 (York County · 2026-27)
- $21.02/hr to start · top $31.47/hr — Richland School District Two (Richland County · 2026-27)
- $20.53/hr to start · top $27.13/hr — Chester County School District (Chester County · 2026-27)
- $20.47/hr to start — Lexington County School District One (Lexington County · 2025-26)
- $20.29/hr to start · top $32.85/hr — Rock Hill Schools (York County · 2025-26)
- $20.04/hr to start · top $30.72/hr — Spartanburg School District Six (Spartanburg County · posting (start date 08/26/2025, rate updated))
- $19.99/hr to start · top $32.46/hr — York School District One (York County · 2025-26)
- $19.83/hr to start · top $32.81/hr — Lexington School District Two (Lexington County · 2025-26 (latest bus driver schedule posted))
- $19.82/hr to start · top $30.75/hr — Spartanburg School District Five (Spartanburg County · 2026-27)
- $19.66/hr to start · top $34.21/hr — Lancaster County School District (Lancaster County · 2025-26 (FY26 schedule, latest posted))
- $19.17/hr to start · top $30.30/hr — Lexington School District Four (Lexington County · 2026-27)
- $18.86/hr to start — Spartanburg County School District Two (Spartanburg County · 2026-27)
- $18.82/hr to start · top $26.16/hr — Spartanburg School District Three (Spartanburg County · 2026-27)
- $18.79/hr to start — Spartanburg School District One (Spartanburg County · 2026)
- $18.22/hr to start · top $28.19/hr — Lexington-Richland School District Five (Lexington County · 2026-27)
- $18.19/hr to start · top $25.69/hr — Spartanburg School District Seven (Spartanburg County · 2026-27)
- $18.00/hr to start · top $32.80/hr — Clover School District (York County · 2022-23 (latest posted))
- $16.33/hr to start · top $27.76/hr — Lexington County School District Three (Lexington County · 2026-27)
- not published — Richland School District One (Richland County)
- not published — Spartanburg County School District Four (Spartanburg County)
Pay range statewide (BLS, May 2025)
| Bottom 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | Top 10% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $11.37 | $14.46 | $19.18 | $22.45 | $27.48 |
| Yearly | $23,640 | $30,070 | $39,900 | $46,700 | $57,150 |
Compare by county
Spartanburg County, SC7 employersLexington County, SC5 employersYork County, SC4 employersRichland County, SC3 employersCharleston County, SC2 employersChester County, SC1 employerGreenville County, SC1 employerLancaster County, SC1 employer
Full details for every South Carolina employer
| Employer | Start $/hr | Top $/hr | Sign-on bonus | Paid CDL training | Guaranteed hours | Summer pay | Pay year / notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Mill School District 4 York County (Fort Mill), SC · York County · District |
$22.70 | $39.60 | not stated | Yes | not stated Shifts 6–9 AM and 1:45–4:45 PM; 180 contract days | Year-round pay advertised | 2026-27 Paid training once you are eligible to drive. | 2026-27 salary schedule Now hiring page checked 2026-10-30 |
| Rock Hill Schools York County (Rock Hill), SC · York County · District |
$20.29 | $32.85 | not stated | Yes | not stated | not stated | 2025-26 "Free CDL training." Steps require 152+ days of driving per year. | FY2025-26 salary schedule Drive With Us page checked 2026-10-30 |
| Clover School District York County (Clover), SC · York County · District |
$18.00 | $32.80 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2022-23 (latest posted) Latest scale we found is dated 11/11/2022 — likely out of date. | Bus driver salary scale (2022-23) checked 2026-10-30 |
| York School District One York County (York), SC · York County · District |
$19.99 | $32.46 | not stated | not stated | not stated 182 days | not stated | 2025-26 | 2025-26 salary schedule checked 2026-10-30 |
| Greenville County Schools Greenville County, SC · Greenville County · District |
$23.41 | $25.90 | not stated | not stated | not stated Full-time = 30+ hrs/week | not stated | 2026-27 Range as reported for an Oct 2026 job fair. | Greenville.com job fair article (third-party news) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Charleston County School District Charleston County, SC · Charleston County · District |
$23.00 | $34.73 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2026-27 Figures quoted by a district official in Aug 2026 news; top rate after 7 years. | Live 5 News (third-party news) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Richland School District Two Richland County (Columbia NE), SC · Richland County · District |
$21.02 | $31.47 | $1,500 sign-on | not stated | not stated 183 days, 7 hours a day | not stated | 2026-27 Title is Student Transportation Specialist. Activity runs pay $25.00/hr and up. Steps 0–27; a step needs 152 days worked. | 2026-27 Student Transportation Specialist (bus) salary schedule WIS-TV (third-party news) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Richland School District One Richland County (Columbia), SC · Richland County · District |
not published | not published | Up to $2,000 sign-on | Yes | 30 hrs/week | not stated | 2026-27 Not published: the driver hourly rate isn't posted (paid training is $20.16/hr). Sign-on: up to $1,000 with no experience, up to $1,500 with experience and a CDL, up to $2,000 with Class B or higher and P/S endorsements. Up to $1,000 more for no accidents and perfect attendance. | Career opportunities page Classified incentives page checked 2026-10-30 |
| Lexington County School District One Lexington County, SC · Lexington County · District |
$20.47 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2025-26 | FY2025-26 bus driver salary schedule checked 2026-10-30 |
| First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island) Charleston area, SC · Charleston County · Contractor |
$22.75 | $33.08 | $500 permit (CLP) bonus within 7 days; $200 within 14 | Yes | 6 hrs/day | not stated | 2026 | First Student posting JR13912 (N CHARLESTON, SC) First Student posting JR15928 (MT. PLEASANT, SC) First Student posting JR15932 (JOHNS ISLAND, SC) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Lexington-Richland School District Five Lexington & Richland Counties (Irmo/Chapin), SC · Lexington County · District |
$18.22 | $28.19 | not stated | Yes | not stated 180 days | not stated | 2026-27 Spans Lexington and Richland counties. "Training Provided." | District Five job board checked 2026-10-30 |
| Spartanburg School District One Spartanburg County (Campobello/Inman), SC · Spartanburg County · District |
$18.79 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2026 Pay "commensurate with experience"; full- or part-time. | District One posting (School Bus Driver 2026) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Spartanburg County School District Two Spartanburg County (Chesnee/Boiling Springs), SC · Spartanburg County · District |
$18.86 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2026-27 Credit for experience. | "Drive for D2" district article (July 22, 2026) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Spartanburg School District Five Spartanburg County (Duncan/Wellford), SC · Spartanburg County · District |
$19.82 | $30.75 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2026-27 From a third-party copy of the district schedule. | SalarySchedule.org copy of FY2026-27 bus driver schedule (third-party) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Spartanburg School District Six Spartanburg County (Roebuck/Dorman), SC · Spartanburg County · District |
$20.04 | $30.72 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | posting (start date 08/26/2025, rate updated) | District Six bus driver posting checked 2026-10-30 |
| Lexington School District Two Lexington County (West Columbia/Cayce), SC · Lexington County · District |
$19.83 | $32.81 | not stated | Yes | not stated | not stated | 2025-26 (latest bus driver schedule posted) Credit for previous commercial driving and military experience can raise starting pay. Schedule runs 0–25 years. | FY 2025-26 bus driver salary schedule (scanned PDF) Bus driver job openings page checked 2026-10-30 |
| Lexington County School District Three Lexington County (Batesburg-Leesville), SC · Lexington County · District |
$16.33 | $27.76 | not stated | not stated | not stated Hours set by the transportation director; 180 days | not stated | 2026-27 Schedule raised 2% over 2025-26. Steps 0–30. | 2026-27 bus driver salary schedule checked 2026-10-30 |
| Lexington School District Four Lexington County (Swansea/Gaston), SC · Lexington County · District |
$19.17 | $30.30 | not stated | not stated | not stated 183 days, 5–8 hours a day | not stated | 2026-27 Steps 0–27. | 2026-27 bus driver salary schedule (linked from lex4.org salary schedules page) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Spartanburg School District Three Spartanburg County (Glendale/Cowpens/Pacolet), SC · Spartanburg County · District |
$18.82 | $26.16 | not stated | not stated | not stated 180 days | not stated | 2026-27 Steps 0–28. | Bus Driver 2026-27 salary schedule (from spartanburg3.org salary schedules page) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Spartanburg County School District Four Spartanburg County (Woodruff), SC · Spartanburg County · District |
not published | not published | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | posting (start date 08/10/2026) Not published: the posting says pay is "based on the district salary scale," and we could not find that scale online. | District Four bus driver posting (full-time) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Spartanburg School District Seven Spartanburg County (City of Spartanburg), SC · Spartanburg County · District |
$18.19 | $25.69 | not stated | Yes | not stated | not stated | 2026-27 CDL application fee waived. Most positions qualify for full-time benefits and a performance bonus (amount not stated). Steps 0–23. | FY26-27 transportation salary schedule Drive a Bus page checked 2026-10-30 |
| Lancaster County School District Lancaster County (Lancaster/Indian Land/Kershaw), SC · Lancaster County · District |
$19.66 | $34.21 | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | 2025-26 (FY26 schedule, latest posted) Bus Driver/Coordinator/Trainer grade. A separate "Bus Opt out" row starts at $22.16. Bus coordinators get +$1.00/hr for coordinator hours. | Approved FY26 hourly salary schedule (June 3, 2025) checked 2026-10-30 |
| Chester County School District Chester County (Chester/Great Falls), SC · Chester County · District |
$20.53 | $27.13 | not stated | not stated | not stated | Summer bus driving: +$5/hr | 2026-27 Steps 0–28. A step counts after 152 days of state-funded driving in one fiscal year. | FY 2026-27 bus driver / bus aide salary scale FY 2026-27 district supplements / other pay checked 2026-10-30 |
Pay by metro area (BLS)
| Area | Drivers | Median $/hr | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 460 | $10.20 | $7.93 | $17.82 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 950 | $22.34 | $17.95 | $28.77 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3970 | $22.12 | $16.98 | $24.03 |
| Columbia, SC | 990 | $17.77 | $13.84 | $27.48 |
| Florence, SC | 310 | $17.05 | $10.40 | $25.06 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | not stated | $21.13 | $14.60 | $24.04 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | 140 | $15.22 | $9.36 | $18.60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | 350 | $14.46 | $11.76 | $17.91 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 370 | $21.94 | $15.79 | $27.72 |
| Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | 360 | $18.08 | $8.83 | $23.17 |
| Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | 240 | $11.73 | $9.11 | $17.19 |
| Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | 370 | $13.59 | $8.34 | $19.17 |
How to become a school bus driver in South Carolina
- You need a CDL (usually Class B) with P and S endorsements, plus a South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) School Bus Driver's Certificate.
- The SCDE certificate requires the state driver training course (classroom + road), a DOT medical exam, the SCDE physical performance test, and background/drug checks. This also applies to contractor drivers carrying public students.
- Certificates are suspended for more than 4 points on your driving record after certification; a DUI conviction revokes it.
- SCDE publishes a statewide guide pay scale for state-owned buses: $11.88/hr (0 years) to $17.48/hr (22+ years) for 2025-26. Most districts pay well above it with local money.
- One year of experience = at least 152 days as an SCDE-certified driver in a school year.
Looking for an employer that pays while you train? See paid CDL training in South Carolina.
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 South Carolina?
The BLS median for school bus drivers in South Carolina is $19.18/hr ($39,900/yr), with the bottom 10% at $11.37 and the top 10% at $27.48 (OEWS May 2025). Among the 21 South Carolina employers we list with a published starting rate, starting pay runs from $16.33/hr (Lexington County School District Three) to $23.41/hr (Greenville County Schools).
Which South Carolina district pays school bus drivers the most?
Greenville County Schools has the highest starting rate we found in South Carolina, at $23.41/hr (2026-27). The highest top-of-scale rate is $39.60/hr at Fort Mill School District 4. Each figure links to the employer's own salary schedule or posting in the list above.
Which South Carolina employers offer paid CDL training?
7 South Carolina employers we list say on their own page or posting that training is paid: Fort Mill School District 4, Rock Hill Schools, Richland School District One, First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island), Lexington-Richland School District Five, Lexington School District Two, Spartanburg School District Seven. The rest don't say either way. See our paid CDL training list.
How do you become a school bus driver in South Carolina?
You need a CDL (usually Class B) with P and S endorsements, plus a South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) School Bus Driver's Certificate. New P or S endorsement holders must also finish federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) first.
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