How much does a Bus driver make

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  2. Bus driver
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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
3 Likes 0 Comments 20 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Bus Driver do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A bus driver is responsible for transporting passengers on designated routes within or between cities and towns. The duties include safely operating the bus, handling ticket sales or checks, and providing service and information to travelers. Bus drivers often work according to schedules, which may involve early mornings, late evenings, and working on weekends. The work environment is characterized by high safety and service responsibilities, as well as significant solitary driving, but also regular contact with passengers and traffic control.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary development for bus drivers has been stable and has shown a clear increase over recent years. 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 6.5% over three years, which is slightly higher than the average for many other transport professions. The main reasons for the salary increases include increased demand for bus drivers, annual adjustments in collective agreements, and the need to retain experienced drivers. Salary differences between men and women have persisted but decreased somewhat, and the salary range is relatively narrow compared to other professions within the transport sector.

Bus Driver Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average Salary: 32 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest Salary: 31,900 SEK/month (female, private sector, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Highest Salary: 32,800 SEK/month (male, various sectors, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Hourly Wage: 195 SEK
  • Gender Differences: Women earn 98% of what men do (men: 32 600 SEK, women: 32 100 SEK)
  • Regional Differences: Salary levels may vary depending on location, but differences are generally small across the country.

Education and Qualifications

The path to becoming a bus driver typically involves specialized vocational training combining theory, practical driving, and simulator training. To work as a bus driver, a valid D driver's license and YKB (professional competence certificate) are required, ensuring the driver has the necessary knowledge and skills. Many training providers offer courses lasting from a few months up to a year, often including internships with bus companies or traffic operators.

  • Formal Education: Vocational driver training, usually 3–6 months
  • Driving License Requirement: D-license (bus)
  • Certification: YKB (professional competence certificate)
  • Internship: Often included in the training
  • Prerequisites: B-license and approved health examination

During bus driver training, there is often an opportunity to practice advanced driving in simulators, providing valuable experience of difficult traffic situations and increasing safety when transitioning to practical driving on roads. Many employers also value drivers with customer service experience, as passenger contact is a central part of the job.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Bus drivers are often covered by collective agreements that provide additional compensation for unsociable hours, overtime, and weekend work. Other benefits include occupational pension, wellness allowances, and sometimes subsidized meals or work clothes. Some employers also offer opportunities for further training and skill development within the profession.

Challenges and Opportunities

The job market for bus drivers is characterized by high demand and a significant need for new recruits, especially in larger cities and regions with extensive public transport. Despite this, there are challenges such as high workload, irregular hours, and sometimes stressful traffic conditions. The recruitment situation is described as paradoxical, with both a shortage of qualified drivers and a relatively high unemployment rate within the profession, often due to part-time work or attrition. Digitalization and automation are expected to impact the profession in the future, but personal service and safety requirements ensure continued demand for competent drivers.

Tips for Aspiring Bus Drivers

To succeed as a bus driver, it’s good to combine attention to detail with a service-oriented attitude. Patience is essential, especially during busy traffic periods or when assisting passengers. Good stress tolerance helps manage unforeseen situations on the road and creates a safe environment for both driver and passengers. Flexibility is also important, as working days can vary and sometimes require quick adjustments. Being communicative and clear when interacting with passengers and colleagues facilitates teamwork and enhances service quality. Finally, having an interest in technology and vehicles is an advantage, as modern buses are often equipped with advanced systems requiring basic technical understanding.

Key Facts About Bus Drivers

  • Education Level: Vocational driver training (3–6 months)
  • Work Environment: Shift work, often in public transport or line service
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment, especially in larger cities
  • Special Skills: D driver's license and YKB
  • Job Vacancies: Total of 412 within the profession of bus and tram drivers

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After a few years in the profession, a bus driver can advance to roles such as instructor, traffic supervisor, or supervisor within transportation companies. Further education to other transport roles, such as tram driver or truck driver, is also common. According to forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service, job opportunities remain strong and are expected to stay stable over the next five years. Despite some recruitment difficulties, well-trained and competent individuals have good prospects. Many employers also invest in internal training and development, enabling long-term careers within the public transport sector.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bus Drivers

  • What does a Bus Driver earn?
    - The average monthly salary for a bus driver is 32 500.
  • How to become a Bus Driver?
    - Requires D driver's license and YKB, often through vocational training.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market like for Bus Drivers?
    - Opportunities are plentiful, with currently 412 job openings.
  • What are the working hours for a Bus Driver?
    - Often involves shift work, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
  • What education is required to work as a Bus Driver?
    - Vocational training (3–6 months), D driver's license, and YKB are required.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 11:19:25

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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