Last updated · Sources: First Student posting JR14224, BLS OEWS May 2025
First Student — Dalton school bus driver pay
First Student — Dalton pays school bus drivers $21.85–$25.20/hr (source: First Student posting JR14224; updated Oct 30, 2026).
Dalton (Whitfield County), Georgia. Everything below comes from the linked source, checked 2026-10-30. A blank means the source doesn't say.
Sign-on bonus
Details
| Employer type | Contractor |
|---|---|
| Area | Dalton (Whitfield County) |
| Pay year | 2026 |
| Guaranteed hours | 5 hrs/day |
| Hours / days | not stated |
| Summer pay | not stated |
| Training payback | not stated |
| Notes | Permit bonus offer ends 12/31/26. |
Sources
- ✓ Official First Student posting JR14224 · checked 2026-10-30
How it compares
The starting rate is $0.24 above the Georgia median for school bus drivers ($21.61/hr, BLS OEWS May 2025). The BLS median covers drivers at every experience level, so a new driver's rate is often below it.
| Whitfield County employer | Start $/hr | Top $/hr | Sign-on bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Student — Dalton (this page) | $21.85 | $25.20 | $500 permit (CLP) bonus within 7 days; $200 within 14 |
| Whitfield County Schools | $20.13 | not stated | not stated |
Whitfield County comparison · Georgia school bus driver pay by district · Paid CDL training list · Split-shift calculator · Compare side by side
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Frequently asked questions
How much does First Student — Dalton pay school bus drivers?
Starting pay is $21.85/hr and the schedule tops out at $25.20/hr (2026), per First Student posting JR14224.
Does First Student — Dalton offer paid CDL training?
Yes, according to the source linked on this page.
Does First Student — Dalton offer a sign-on bonus for bus drivers?
Yes: $500 permit (CLP) bonus within 7 days; $200 within 14. Details and conditions are in the linked source (First Student posting JR14224).
How does First Student — Dalton compare with nearby districts?
It ranks #1 of 2 for starting pay among the employers we list in Whitfield County, the highest we list there. Pay years differ, so check each source.
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