What does a Bus Monitor do?
A Bus Monitor acts as the main point of contact and support for riders, such as parents, guardians, teachers and school administrators. The Bus Monitor oversees communication and passenger monitoring from the driver, enhancing overall safety on the road while adding a level of support for riders that isn’t possible with just a driver.
A Bus Monitor also ensures that all passengers follow bus safety rules, like remaining seated and keeping aisles clear. They may address instances of misbehavior or rule-breaking, including mediating disputes between students, to maintain a safe environment. A Bus Monitor typically helps to keep the bus clean by picking up trash and encouraging students to keep their areas clean.
Bus Monitor skills and qualifications
A successful Bus Monitor candidate typically has certain skills and qualifications. Some to consider listing as required in your Bus Attendant job description include:
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with students, parents, and school staff
- Patience and empathy, demonstrating understanding and patience with children of various ages and needs
- First Aid and CPR certification, with knowledge of basic first aid procedures and current CPR certification
- Behavior management skills, when managing and guiding student behavior and enforcing bus rules to maintain a safe environment
- Problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly assess and resolve issues as they arise and strong decision-making abilities under pressure
- Attention to detail, particularly in monitoring student behavior and ensuring safety protocols are followed, as well as keeping accurate records and reporting incidents
- Dependability and punctuality, being reliable and punctual in daily attendance and consistent in performing duties and responsibilities
- Ability to assist students with disabilities or special needs and the capability to move and react quickly in emergencies
Bus Monitor experience requirements
While you may want to require Bus Monitors to have previous experience with this type of role, you may find you cast a wider net if you accept other relevant experience. Consider requiring that candidates have experience working with children or supporting others in a safety role, for instance. Childcare experience in a babysitting or daycare job, volunteering in classrooms or libraries or working with special needs adults are all examples of past work that can prepare someone for work as a Bus Monitor.
Bus Monitor education and training requirements
Typically, there are no formal education requirements for this type of position. However, depending on the requirements of your school system or jurisdiction, you may want to include certain certification requirements in your job posting. Some employers prefer candidates to have first aid or CPR certifications, for instance.
Bus Monitor salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average pay for a Bus Monitor is $15.19 per hour. Compensation for these roles depends on factors such as experience, whether the employer is a public school system or a private company and location.
Bus Monitor salary expectations
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Common salary:
16.47 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
7.25 -30.70 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Job description samples for similar positions
If you’re looking for other job descriptions dealing with transportation or overseeing children, you can find numerous other job description articles. Start with some information about similar positions, such as:
Bus Monitor job description FAQs
What traits make for a good Bus Monitor?
In addition to experience with children or those with special needs, successful Bus Monitor candidates tend to be patient and react well under pressure. Buses are often loud environments, with many people speaking and moving. Bus Monitors must be able to take command of such situations in caring, kind ways to ensure the safety of riders.
Who does a Bus Monitor report to?
Bus Monitors may report directly to the School Bus Driver or a manager or director of transportation.
What are some common interview questions for a Bus Monitor candidate?
Ask questions to help you evaluate relevant skills, such as the candidate’s communication abilities. You might also ask the person to describe a time they felt challenged by a child and how they redirected the situation. This can help you gauge their patience and ability to connect with passengers.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
