A bus driver’s salary in Canada ranges from around $35,000 per annum at entry-level to approximately $76,000 in 2023. Mid-range salaries are in the region of $50,000 per annum.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In Canada By Province?
The best government statistics for comparing wages by province are presented as hourly pay rates. This applies to all occupations, including those where pay is based on an annual salary.
Low and high wage rates are provided along with the average median wage; the median is the middle point of the data range when all wages are listed in numerical order.
| Bus Driver's Hourly Wages By Province (NOC 73301) | |||
| Province | Low ($ Hr) | Median ($ Hr) | High ($ Hr) |
| Canada | 16.00 | 23.50 | 36.00 |
| Alberta | 17.00 | 28.00 | 36.50 |
| British Columbia | 20.00 | 28.61 | 35.00 |
| Manitoba | 16.87 | 25.00 | 29.50 |
| New Brunswick | 15.00 | 20.28 | 25.00 |
| Newfoundland | 14.00 | 21.95 | 25.00 |
| Northwest Territories | 20.00 | 24.50 | 35.00 |
| Nova Scotia | 18.00 | 24.02 | 28.62 |
| Nunavut | 20.85 | 26.00 | 30.98 |
| Ontario | 15.50 | 21.15 | 36.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | 17.00 | 22.00 | 24.88 |
| Quebec | 15.05 | 21.00 | 31.56 |
| Saskatchewan | 16.04 | 21.33 | 30.00 |
| Yukon Territory | 24.60 | 24.97 | 27.00 |
| This information has been compiled from several sources, including data from Statistics Canada and the Labour Force Survey. As of May 2023 this is the most recent published data, gathered from prior years surveys. | |||
Which Province Has The Highest Bus Driver’s Salary In Canada?
The highest mid-range bus driver’s salary in Canada is found in BC, closely followed by Alberta. In these two provinces, salaries are around 20% higher than the national average.
Note that salaries in Alberta are typically higher than in other provinces in Canada. This applies across all job sectors, but the most significant differences are seen in occupations related to the oil and gas industry.
At the other end of the scale, the lowest bus driver’s salary in Canada is found in Quebec, followed by Ontario. Here mid-range salaries are around 10% lower than national averages. In Quebec, a lower living cost will help compensate for this.
Are Bus Drivers In Demand In Canada?
According to government projections, the three-year prospects for bus drivers are rated as “good” for all provinces.
Government projections (carried out by EDC) for 2022 to 2031 showed projected job openings for drivers as 60,700, compared to 56,200 new job seekers who will fill these posts.
There is some uncertainty surrounding the projections as we wait to find out whether there will be a permanent shift to remote working following the COVID-19 pandemic.
A bus driver’s salary in Canada in 2023 is expected to be around 4% higher than a bus driver’s salary in Canada in 2022.
What Is An NOC Code In Canada?
National Occupational Classification Codes (or NOC Codes) are numbers used to categorize jobs in Canada. All occupations are numbered based on the training, education, experience and responsibilities required to perform the job. In 2022 a new system of numbers was introduced whereby the previous 4-digit NOC codes were replaced with new 5-digit codes.
What Is The NOC Code For A Bus Driver In Canada?
The current NOC code for bus drivers in Canada is 73301 (note that under the old system, the NOC code was 7512). This NOC code covers all jobs with the following names:
- Bus driver
- Bus operator
- Light rail transit operator
- Motor coach driver
- Public passenger transit driver
- School bus driver
- Sightseeing tour driver
- Streetcar operator
- Subway train operator
- Transit operator – transportation
Note that this NOC code does not cover transport supervisors; the NOC code for this occupation is 72024.
Can Immigrant Bus Drivers Work In Canada?
You must pass a written and practical test to obtain a license. This should be done in whichever province you settle. If applicable, you may also need to obtain certification in other areas, such as operating air brakes and first aid.
As with any job, prior experience will help when applying, and a safe driving record is an added benefit.
The good news is that the NOC code for this job sector appears on the Government of Canada’s list of target occupations for immigration. This means that you could be eligible for the Federal Skilled Workers Program, which provides express entry to Canada.
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What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In Ontario?
A bus driver’s salary in Ontario ranges from around $33,000 to $76,000 per annum. Mid-range salaries are around $44,000. This is around 10% lower than the national average.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Starting Salary In Ontario?
A starting salary for a bus driver in Ontario is around $33,000 per annum, which is in line with national averages. Entry-level salaries will vary according to the type of employer.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In Toronto?
A mid-range bus driver’s salary in Toronto is about $64,000 per annum, which is significantly higher than provincial and national averages. The high salaries are mainly due to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) which pays their drivers very well.
These salaries go some way to offset the high costs of living in Toronto, where property prices are some of the highest in Canada.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In Ottawa?
A mid-range bus driver’s salary in Ottawa is around $44,000 per annum. This is significantly lower than in Toronto. However, real estate prices are also much lower in Ottawa.
Are Bus Drivers In Demand In Ontario?
According to government projections, the prospects for bus drivers in Ontario over the next few years are strong. However, there is some uncertainty surrounding the industry as we wait to find out whether there will be a permanent shift to remote working following the pandemic.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In Alberta?
Bus drivers are well paid in Alberta with salaries ranging from around $36,000 to $77,000 annually, with mid-range salaries of about $59,000 per annum. This is around 20% higher than the national average.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Starting Salary In Alberta?
A starting salary for a bus driver in Alberta is around $36,000 per annum, just marginally above national averages.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In Calgary?
A mid-range bus driver’s salary in Calgary is around $59,000 per annum, in line with provincial averages and significantly higher than national averages.
In addition, the cost of living in Calgary is low compared to other major Canadian cities. This means that bus drivers in Calgary can enjoy a better standard of living than, for example, in Vancouver or Toronto.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In Edmonton?
Bus drivers in Edmonton are paid well even compared to elsewhere in the province. A mid-range salary is around $67,000 annually which is more than 10% higher than in Calgary.
This combined with lower living, especially property costs, means a better standard of living for bus drivers in this city.
Are Bus Drivers In Demand In Alberta?
The demand for bus drivers in Alberta is forecast to be strong over the next few years. However, the industry was hit hard during the pandemic, and it remains to be seen how the move towards remote working will affect the industry.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In BC?
BC has some of the best-paid bus drivers in Canada. A bus driver’s salary in BC ranges from around $42,000 to $74,000 per annum. Mid-range salaries are about $60,000 annually.
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What Is A Bus Driver’s Starting Salary In BC?
Starting salaries for bus drivers in BC are around $42,000 per annum, almost 25% above national averages.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In Vancouver?
A mid-range salary of a bus driver in Vancouver is around $60,000, similar to the provincial average. However, the cost of living in Vancouver is very high, and property and rental costs in downtown Vancouver are some of the highest in the world. This means a bus driver will probably enjoy a higher standard of living outside the city.
What Is A Bus Driver’s Salary In Victoria?
A mid-range bus driver’s salary in Victoria is around $58,000 per annum. This is slightly lower than for Vancouver, but the cost of real estate in Victoria is significantly lower, so a bus driver here is likely to enjoy a better standard of living.
Are Bus Drivers In Demand In BC?
According to government projections, the demand for bus drivers in BC will be good over the next few years. However, any projections should be treated with caution as the long-term effects of COVID on the industry are still unknown. The pace at which remote workers return to the office will affect demand for drivers.
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Where To Find More Information About Bus Driver Jobs In Canada
If you would like more specific information for a particular job or location, the online “Job Bank” is a great resource.
The “Trends Analysis” section allows you to search for a job type in any location. It will then provide information including:
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- Currently available jobs
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