- Salary statistics
- Driver, bus salary
Driver, bus salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
32 300 - 33 700 SEK / month
Women earn 98% of what men do.
Transport
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Salary progression Driver, bus
What does a Bus Driver do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A bus driver is responsible for safely and service-mindedly transporting passengers according to fixed timetables or special assignments. The profession includes operating route and charter services, handling ticket sales, and providing information and service to travelers. The work environment features long shifts, shift work, and varying driving conditions, including city driving and countryside routes. Besides the practical responsibility for the vehicle, it often involves managing stressful situations, traffic safety, and daily contact with many different people.
Salary Development Over Time
The salary for bus drivers has shown a steady but positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,500 SEK per month, rising to 32 500 SEK in 2023 and further to 33 400 SEK in 2024. The total increase over this period is approximately 6.6%, in line with other transport professions. The salary increase is linked to increased demand for public transportation, recruitment challenges, and inflation adjustments. Despite the relatively steady salary development, smaller gender gaps and regional variations remain.
Bus Driver Salary – Complete Overview
- Average salary: 33 400 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 31,900 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 32,800 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 195 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 98% of what men do
- Regional differences: Minor variation between metropolitan areas and rural regions
Education and Qualifications
To work as a bus driver, a high school education, a D driver's license, and a professional competence certificate (YKB) are generally required. The training includes both theory and practical components and is available through high school transport programs, private providers, or company-internal training. Besides a license and YKB, good service skills, stress tolerance, and a sense of responsibility are often sought.
- High school education: Transport program, approximately 3 years
- Professional competence certificate (YKB): Mandatory, additional course of 140 hours
- Driver’s license D: Required for buses, can be obtained after age 21
- Internship/Trainee: Often part of the training
- Prerequisites: B driver's license and approved health check
Many employers offer flexible working hours, making the profession attractive for those seeking flexibility. Daily contact with people and varying routes also contribute to the work rarely feeling monotonous.
Common Benefits and Compensation
Bus drivers in the public transport industry often receive benefits such as evening and weekend shift allowances, wellness contributions, uniform allowances, and opportunities for skill development and further training. Occupational pension schemes and collective agreements are standard at most workplaces, and some employers also offer discounted travel for staff.
Competition and Challenges
The job market for bus drivers is characterized by high demand but also a paradoxical recruitment situation. While many positions are available, employers often struggle to find suitable candidates. Long and irregular shifts, high service expectations, and safety responsibilities are some challenges affecting career choice. Additionally, working conditions can vary depending on traffic intensity and geographic area, requiring physical and mental resilience. Despite these challenges, the profession attracts many due to the independence and daily variation it offers.
Tips for Aspiring Bus Drivers
To succeed as a bus driver, it’s important to combine accuracy and responsibility with a strong service attitude. Being able to handle stressful situations and being flexible with shift schedules increases the chances of thriving and developing in the profession. Good manners and communication skills are crucial since contact with passengers is a central part of the job. Punctuality and reliability are also essential to ensure safety and trust. Initiative and willingness to continue learning are advantageous, especially in an industry that is constantly evolving. Finally, good physical health is appreciated, as the job sometimes involves long shifts and quick movements.
Key Facts About Bus Drivers
- Education level: High school + YKB and driver’s license D
- Work environment: Shift work, independent and social
- Demand: Strong opportunities for nationwide employment
- Employment type: Permanent or hourly employment
- Number of available jobs: 412 (Spring 2024)
Career Paths and Future Outlook
After a few years of experience, there are opportunities to further train as a traffic controller, trainer for new drivers, or take responsibility for special transports within public transportation. Some choose to advance to supervisory roles or transition to related roles such as tram drivers. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that opportunities for bus and tram drivers will remain strong, with unchanged demand over the next five years. Despite high unemployment in certain parts of the industry, many positions are available, providing good prospects for recent graduates and experienced drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Drivers
- What is the average salary of a bus driver?
- A bus driver has an average salary of 33 400 SEK per month. - What are the gender differences in bus driver salaries?
- Women earn 98% of what men do, indicating a smaller gap. - What education is required to become a bus driver?
- High school, driver’s license D, and YKB are required. - What are the future prospects for bus drivers?
- Job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to stay stable over the next five years. - What is the hourly wage for a bus driver?
- The average hourly wage is 195 SEK. - Are there regional salary differences?
- Variations are small, but some metropolitan regions may offer slightly higher wages. - What career opportunities are available after a few years in the profession?
- Opportunities include becoming a traffic controller, trainer, or transitioning to related transport roles.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 28600 kr | 32600 kr | |
| 25-34 | 97% | 30000 kr | 32500 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 30700 kr | 33200 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 31100 kr | 33500 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 31600 kr | 33600 kr |
| 65-68 | 98% | 31700 kr | 33600 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 31200 kr | 33400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 28600 kr | 32600 kr | |
| 25-34 | 97% | 30000 kr | 32500 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 30700 kr | 33200 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 31100 kr | 33500 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 31600 kr | 33600 kr |
| 65-68 | 98% | 31700 kr | 33600 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 31200 kr | 33400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 28600 kr | 32600 kr | |
| 25-34 | 97% | 30000 kr | 32500 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 30700 kr | 33200 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 31100 kr | 33500 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 31600 kr | 33600 kr |
| 65-68 | 98% | 31700 kr | 33600 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 31200 kr | 33400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 30000 kr | 32600 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 30700 kr | 33300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 31100 kr | 33600 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 31600 kr | 33700 kr |
| 65-68 | 98% | 31700 kr | 33700 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 31200 kr | 33500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 30000 kr | 32600 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 30700 kr | 33300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 31100 kr | 33600 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 31600 kr | 33700 kr |
| 65-68 | 98% | 31700 kr | 33700 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 31200 kr | 33500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 30000 kr | 32600 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 30700 kr | 33300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 31100 kr | 33600 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 31600 kr | 33700 kr |
| 65-68 | 98% | 31700 kr | 33700 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 31200 kr | 33500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 30100 kr | 31600 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 30400 kr | 32500 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 31100 kr | 32800 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 31500 kr | 33200 kr |
| 65-68 | 98% | 31800 kr | 33100 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 31100 kr | 32800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 30100 kr | 31600 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 30400 kr | 32500 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 31100 kr | 32800 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 31500 kr | 33200 kr |
| 65-68 | 98% | 31800 kr | 33100 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 31100 kr | 32800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 30100 kr | 31600 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 30400 kr | 32500 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 31100 kr | 32800 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 31500 kr | 33200 kr |
| 65-68 | 98% | 31800 kr | 33100 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 31100 kr | 32800 kr |
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 Driver, bus has the SSYK code 8331, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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