School Bus Driver Shortage Persists Despite Pay Increases
School districts across the U.S. continue to face a shortage of school bus drivers, despite raising wages and implementing recruitment initiatives. According to an Economic Policy Institute analysis, employment in this sector remained 9.5% below pre-pandemic levels as of August 2025, even with inflation-adjusted hourly wages rising by 4.2%. The job's low pay and irregular schedules are cited as major barriers to attracting workers. The East Greenbush Central School District in New York experienced significant staffing challenges during the 2025-2026 school year, leading to delayed student pickups and returns that affected instructional time. In response, the district organized a recruitment event called a 'bus rodeo,' which helped secure several new hires. The district now pays drivers approximately $28 per hour with health benefits, aiming to compete with other employers like Amazon warehouses. Superintendent Kurtis Kotes emphasized the importance of additional opportunities for drivers during their off-hours and highlighted efforts by administrators to better understand the challenges faced in this role.
Topics: education employment transportation wages