How much does a Bus driver make

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  2. Bus driver
Image that illustrates Bus driver

Bus driver

32 500 kr

Bus and tram drivers

31 900 - 32 800 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Transport

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Bus driver

Average salary 32 500 kr
Males 32 600 kr
Females 32 100 kr
8 Likes 0 Comments 20 Vacant jobs ->

What does a bus driver do? – Tasks and work environment

A bus driver is responsible for operating buses in scheduled routes, charter services, or school transports. The tasks include not only driving but also receiving and assisting passengers, selling tickets, providing information, and handling any conflicts or situations that arise during the trip. The work environment is characterized by a high safety focus, shift work, and often varying hours, which can include early mornings, evenings, and weekends. In addition to maintaining punctual and safe traffic, service orientation and stress tolerance are important qualities in the daily work of a bus driver.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the average salary for bus drivers has steadily increased. In 2022, the average salary was 30,500 SEK per month, which increased to 31 500 SEK in 2023 and reached 32 500 SEK in 2024. This development corresponds to a total increase of approximately 6.6% over three years, which is a relatively good salary growth considering industry conditions. The salary increase follows general trends in the transport sector where demand for qualified drivers remains high. Underlying factors for this positive development include increased educational requirements, a growing need for public transport, and difficulties in recruiting and retaining experienced drivers.

Bus driver salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 32 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,900 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, at least 3 years post-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 32,800 SEK/month (male, various sectors, at least 3 years post-secondary education)
  • Hourly wage: 195 SEK/hour (average, hourly worker)
  • Women earn: 32 100 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 32 600 SEK/month

Education and qualifications

To work as a bus driver, a D driver's license and a professional competence certificate (YKB) are required. The training can be completed either via upper secondary transport programs or through adult education, often in collaboration with driving schools and employers. Besides these formal requirements, good driving skills, service orientation, and a high sense of responsibility are important.

  • Upper secondary education: Transport program, approximately 3 years
  • Adult education / Vocational adult education: 20–30 weeks, varies by location
  • D driver's license: Mandatory for the profession
  • Professional competence certificate (YKB): 140–280 hours of training
  • Prerequisites: B driver's license, often at least 21 years of age

Many bus drivers develop impressive local knowledge over time and become invaluable sources of information for both passengers and colleagues. It is not uncommon for experienced drivers to suggest the fastest routes during traffic disruptions or guide newcomers in the profession. The social contact with different people every day makes the job never quite monotonous.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Bus drivers are often covered by collective agreements that include access to occupational pension, overtime pay, evening and weekend supplement, and wellness contributions. Some employers also offer uniform allowances, training during working hours, and opportunities for further education within the company.

Challenges and competition

The profession as a bus driver is characterized by a paradoxical recruitment situation: while many vacancies exist, staff turnover and the proportion of part-time work are relatively high. One reason is shift work and irregular hours, which can be demanding for some. The shortage of qualified drivers drives demand, but high responsibility and safety standards are also required. Digitalization and new ticketing solutions are changing the job tasks, requiring a certain technical adaptability.

Tips for those who want to become a bus driver

To succeed as a bus driver, it is good to combine calmness and stress resistance with genuine service-mindedness. Being able to handle unexpected situations with a friendly attitude is crucial, while accuracy and punctuality help create a safe journey for passengers. Good teamwork skills are important, both in contact with colleagues and in meeting passengers from diverse backgrounds. It is also wise to prepare for shift work and be flexible with working hours. Finally, technical curiosity is beneficial, as modern buses and ticket systems require some computer skills and willingness to learn new things.

Key facts about bus drivers

  • Education requirements: D driver's license and professional competence certificate (YKB)
  • Work environment: Shift work, often irregular hours
  • Job market: 412 registered job openings
  • Gender salary gap: Women earn 98% of men's salary
  • Future prospects: Good opportunities for employment

Career paths and future outlook

After a few years in the profession, there are opportunities to advance to traffic controller, instructor, trainer, or supervisor within public transport. Some experienced drivers choose to further educate themselves as traffic planners or take on specialist roles related to safety or vehicle maintenance. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, the job market for bus drivers remains stable over the next five years, with continued high demand and many vacancies. Despite recruitment difficulties, the need for bus drivers is expected to remain unchanged, creating good conditions for those who want to establish themselves in the profession.

Frequently asked questions about bus drivers

  • What does a bus driver earn?
    - The average salary for a bus driver is 32 500 SEK per month.
  • How to become a bus driver?
    - To work as a bus driver, a D driver's license and a professional competence certificate (YKB) are required, which can be obtained via upper secondary or adult education.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What are the working hours for bus drivers?
    - The work often involves shift work, with early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
  • What are the future prospects for bus drivers?
    - The forecast remains good, with many job openings and steady demand in the coming years.
  • What education is required?
    - A D driver's license and a professional competence certificate (YKB) are mandatory to work as a bus driver.
  • What is a typical hourly wage for bus drivers?
    - An average hourly wage for hourly-paid workers is 195 SEK.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-10-31 10:42:37

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Bus driver is 32800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 32400 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Bus driver is 31900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 32300 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 100% 29200 kr 31700 kr
35-44 98% 29800 kr 32300 kr
45-54 98% 30300 kr 32700 kr
55-64 99% 30700 kr 32700 kr
65-68 99% 30900 kr 32600 kr
Snitt 98% 30300 kr 32500 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Bus driver has the SSYK code 8331, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Net salary
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