Bus Driver Jobs in Arlington, TX
Bus driving in Arlington mostly means school routes, because the city has no fixed-route public bus. Arlington ISD and the neighboring districts that serve parts of the city cover CDL training, and starting pay runs about $22 to $25 an hour. Here are the current openings, then who is hiring.
Current bus driver Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Bus Driver Work in Arlington
Arlington is one of the largest US cities without a fixed-route bus system. Since 2017 the city has run Arlington On-Demand, a shared-ride van service operated by Via, so most bus work here is on school routes. Arlington ISD, one of the city's largest employers, runs routes across the whole district from North Arlington to the neighborhoods south of I-20, and Mansfield ISD covers sections of south Arlington. Grand Prairie ISD, on the east side along the Great Southwest Industrial District, and Fort Worth ISD to the west also recruit drivers from Arlington.
For full-time transit work, the nearest large operator is Trinity Metro in Fort Worth, which trains new bus operators and pays during training. Most Arlington drivers commute by car to their bus yard, so a home near I-20, I-30 or SH 360 widens your options.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring Bus Drivers
School districts and the regional transit agency do most of the bus hiring around Arlington:
- Arlington ISD - the district recruits bus drivers and attendants year round and covers training costs, including the CDL.
- Mansfield ISD - serves sections of south Arlington and posts a 2026-27 bus driver pay grade of $22.26 to $37.47 an hour.
- Grand Prairie ISD - the transportation department on Skyline Road is hiring drivers at $25 an hour with a CDL.
- Fort Worth ISD - the district is hiring bus drivers at a $22.75 hourly start, with attendants at $15.25.
- Trinity Metro - Fort Worth's transit agency hires experienced bus operators and trainees, with company-paid CDL training.
Bus Driver Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level: about $17 to $25 an hour. Trinity Metro trainees start at $17, and area districts start drivers between $22.26 and $25.
- Experienced: roughly $25 to $30 an hour with district seniority or transit pay steps.
- Senior: up to about $37 an hour at the top of a district pay grade such as Mansfield ISD's.
These are estimates drawn from the districts' and Trinity Metro's own published rates; the national median for bus drivers was $23.75 an hour in May 2025 (BLS). Pay moves with whether you already hold a CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements, your years of service, and extra trips such as field trips and athletics. District jobs add TRS retirement and health insurance.
How to Become a Bus Driver in Arlington
You need a commercial driver's license from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with passenger (P) and, for school routes, school bus (S) endorsements. First-time applicants for those endorsements must finish federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) before testing. School bus drivers also complete the DPS School Bus Driver Certification Course, taught through the regional education service centers; Region 11 in Fort Worth lists it as a 20-hour class with an 8-hour recertification. Districts such as Arlington ISD and Mansfield ISD hire people without a CDL and train them, and Mansfield ISD sets the minimum age at 21. Tarrant County College also runs a CDL Driver track through its Adult Education and Literacy integrated training program.
What the Job Involves
Bus drivers run pre-trip and post-trip inspections, drive set routes on a timetable, load and unload passengers safely, and keep order on board. School bus drivers watch students at stops and crossings, work with attendants on special-needs routes, and report incidents to dispatch. Transit operators also handle fares, wheelchair lifts and rider questions.
Skills Employers Look For
- A CDL with P and S endorsements, or the ability to earn one in training
- A clean driving record
- Patience and calm with students and riders
- Punctuality on split morning and afternoon routes
- Careful pre-trip inspection habits
- Clear radio communication with dispatch
Career Path and Advancement
Many Arlington drivers start as bus attendants or as trainees in a district CDL class, then move to a regular route and pick up extra trips. From there the ladder runs to trainer, route coordinator, dispatcher and transportation supervisor, and some drivers move to Trinity Metro for full-time transit hours or into CDL freight work along the I-20 and SH 360 corridors.
Related Careers in Arlington
If driving a bus interests you, these related Arlington roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do bus drivers make in Arlington?
School districts around Arlington start drivers at about $22 to $25 an hour; Mansfield ISD's 2026-27 grade runs $22.26 to $37.47 and Grand Prairie ISD starts CDL holders at $25. Trinity Metro trainees start at $17 and reach $25 within four years.
Does Arlington ISD pay for CDL training?
Yes. Arlington ISD says it covers training costs for new bus drivers, including the CDL. You apply through the district's online job system, and the district trains you before you take a route.
What certification do Texas school bus drivers need?
You need a Texas CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements, federal Entry-Level Driver Training for first-time endorsements, and the DPS School Bus Driver Certification Course. The course is taught through the regional education service centers, and drivers take a shorter recertification class later.
Does Arlington have city bus driver jobs?
Not in the usual sense. Arlington has no fixed-route bus; Arlington On-Demand uses vans operated by Via, and the City says its drivers must be older than 25 with a year of driving history. Full-size city bus jobs are with Trinity Metro in Fort Worth.
Can I drive a school bus part time?
Yes. School routes run in the morning and afternoon around the bell schedule, and Arlington ISD describes its driver hours as flexible. Many drivers add field trips and athletic runs for extra hours.
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