School Bus Monitors: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

School Bus Monitors fall under the Protective Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. School Bus Monitors earn a median salary of $35,100 per year, ranking in the top 98% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.9% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do school bus monitors earn?

The median annual wage for school bus monitors is $35,100. That puts school bus monitors at #807 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is school bus monitors a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for school bus monitors is -1.9%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 76K positions in 2024 to 75K in 2034, a net change of <1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What education does my child need to become school bus monitor?

Many school bus monitors enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
  $33,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
  $106,040 median
• Detectives and Criminal Investigators
  $93,790 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
  $93,530 median
• Transit and Railroad Police
  $90,230 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
  $77,970 median

Common questions parents ask about school bus monitors