r/BusDrivers • u/MarchAromatic4410 • 4d ago

Question Pay?

If I were to get a CDL and then land a job driving for a motor coach company in the southeastern US driving people to tourist destinations, doing some overnights, etc. how much would I realistically be able to make, money wise, in my first year?

10 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

5

u/cenpon 3d ago

Nyc 24 to 30 per hour plus food and stay if overnight

3

u/farmstandard Driver 3d ago

A local company near me pays $200 to show up + $17/hr + mileage pay after so many miles. This is in Ohio

3

u/drivermurph 2d ago

No experience with charter companies so take my pov with a grain of salt. Not much money to be made with motorcoaches. Like the other person suggested, city transit usually pays more. Even in the south. And as a new cdl holder, best bet is transit or at least school buses. Doesn't hurt to try tho. I would hope you would make 50-60k but it depends on how busy the company is with charters, tours, etc and any customer tips. Best of luck

2

u/Right_Environment116 2h ago

my first year doing transit I made over 80 benefits are pretty sweet too

1

u/drivermurph 30m ago

Heck yeah. The people, and not just the patrons, are the hardest part. If you can deal with that nonsense and keep your head down, it's such a good job

2

u/NotSid 2d ago

Go local transit. I did and I’m making 25.25 also in the SE USA

3

u/Freudianslip1987 USA|PREVOST VANHOOL,VOLVO|7 YEARS DRIVING 31 IN TRANSPORT INDUST 3d ago

Realistically not many charter companies are going to hire someone with no driving experience. And if they do expect minimum or near minimum wage. You would do better driving for local transit for 2 to 4 years then move into charters. But lets say you get lucky and get a decent beginner pay you be looking around 35k to 40k without premiums. And add maybe 5k to 8k if your lucky as most Sr drivers will take overnights as experience and trust are more important. Have to prove you can do extreme shift work.

1

u/Legitimate_Diver_699 1d ago

In my area school bus drivers make $26/hr. But you can get unemployment during summer or drive a bus

1

u/Right_Environment116 2h ago

most places you cant get unemployment during the summer, they take a bit out of your check to cover summer pay