Last updated Oct 30, 2026 · Sources: WCPSS bus driver careers page, BLS OEWS May 2025

Wake County Public Schools school bus driver pay

Wake County Public Schools pays school bus drivers from $20.00/hr for 2026-27 (source: WCPSS bus driver careers page; updated Oct 30, 2026). The top rate isn't published.

Wake County (Raleigh), North Carolina. Everything below comes from the linked source, checked 2026-10-30. A blank means the source doesn't say.

Starting pay

$20.00/hr

2026-27

Top of scale

not stated

Sign-on bonus

$1,200 sign-on + up to $4,000/yr attendance & retention bonuses

Paid CDL training

Yes

Details

Employer type	District
Area	Wake County (Raleigh)
Pay year	2026-27
Guaranteed hours	not stated
Hours / days	Up to 4 hrs AM + 4 hrs PM; must be available 30 hrs/week
Summer pay	not stated
Training payback	not stated
Notes	"We'll pay for your CDL license."

Sources

WCPSS bus driver careers page · checked 2026-10-30

How it compares

The starting rate is $1.99 above the North Carolina median for school bus drivers ($18.01/hr, BLS OEWS May 2025) and $1.48 above the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro median ($18.52/hr). The BLS median covers drivers at every experience level, so a new driver's rate is often below it.

Wake County employer	Start $/hr	Top $/hr	Sign-on bonus
Wake County Public Schools (this page)	$20.00	not stated	$1,200 sign-on + up to $4,000/yr attendance & retention bonuses

Wake County comparison · North Carolina school bus driver pay by district · Paid CDL training list · Split-shift calculator

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Frequently asked questions

How much does Wake County Public Schools pay school bus drivers?

Starting pay is $20.00/hr (2026-27), per WCPSS bus driver careers page. Up to 4 hrs AM + 4 hrs PM; must be available 30 hrs/week.

Does Wake County Public Schools offer paid CDL training?

Yes, according to the source linked on this page.

Does Wake County Public Schools offer a sign-on bonus for bus drivers?

Yes: $1,200 sign-on + up to $4,000/yr attendance & retention bonuses. Details and conditions are in the linked source (WCPSS bus driver careers page).