SOC 8212 Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives

Bus and coach drivers Salary

Median salary £33,947 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £34,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For bus and coach drivers, £36,340 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -7.0% versus the national average. Experienced bus and coach drivers (top 25%) earn over £42,200.

About this role

Bus and coach drivers operate vehicles to transport goods, passengers or materials safely and efficiently. They follow traffic regulations, maintain their vehicles, manage delivery schedules and ensure the safe handling of their cargo or passengers.

Key responsibilities

Operating vehicles safely and in compliance with road traffic law
Planning routes and managing delivery or service schedules
Conducting vehicle checks and reporting defects
Loading, securing and unloading cargo where applicable
Maintaining accurate records (tachograph, delivery logs)

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires a valid driving licence for the vehicle category. LGV (Category C/C+E) or PCV (Category D) requires additional training, medical examination and CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). ADR certification is needed for hazardous goods.

Career outlook

Significant driver shortage, particularly for LGV drivers. Improved pay and conditions are being offered across the logistics sector.

Key skills

Safe driving Route planning Vehicle maintenance awareness Time management Customer service

Common industries

Logistics and distribution
Public transport
Haulage
Passenger services
Construction

Data coverage

SOC code 8212

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 83,000

Median Salary

£33,947

Mean Salary

£33,726

Jobs (000s)

83k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £15kP25: £28kMedian: £34kP75: £42kP90: £49k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£14,546

0-2 years

Mid Level

£27,639

3-7 years

Senior

£42,200

8-15 years

Leadership

£49,429

15+ years

Potential career growth: +240% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +47.7%Real growth: +7.0%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 12.0%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£33,947

Full-time Only

£36,340

Full-time premium: +£2,393

Bus and coach drivers salary: common questions

How much do bus and coach drivers earn in the UK?

Bus and coach drivers earn a median of £36,340 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £27,639 and £42,200.

Is £36,340 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for bus and coach drivers?

Entry-level bus and coach drivers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £27,639, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £14,546.

How much do the highest-paid bus and coach drivers earn?

The best-paid 10% of bus and coach drivers earn over £49,429 a year, and the top 25% over £42,200 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have bus and coach drivers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median bus and coach drivers pay has risen from £24,212 to £36,340 — +50% in cash terms, or +9.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for bus and coach drivers?

Male bus and coach drivers earn a median £34,282 and female bus and coach drivers £30,180 — a gap of +12% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).