Last updated · Sources: First Student posting JR13912 (N CHARLESTON, SC), First Student posting JR15928 (MT. PLEASANT, SC), First Student posting JR15932 (JOHNS ISLAND, SC), BLS OEWS May 2025
First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island) school bus driver pay
First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island) pays school bus drivers $22.75–$33.08/hr (source: First Student posting JR13912 (N CHARLESTON, SC); updated Oct 30, 2026).
Charleston area, South Carolina. Everything below comes from the linked sources, checked 2026-10-30. A blank means the source doesn't say.
Starting pay
2026
Top of scale
Sign-on bonus
Paid CDL training
Details
| Employer type | Contractor |
|---|---|
| Area | Charleston area |
| Pay year | 2026 |
| Guaranteed hours | 6 hrs/day |
| Hours / days | not stated |
| Summer pay | not stated |
| Training payback | not stated |
| Notes | not stated |
Sources
- First Student posting JR13912 (N CHARLESTON, SC) · checked 2026-10-30
- First Student posting JR15928 (MT. PLEASANT, SC) · checked 2026-10-30
- First Student posting JR15932 (JOHNS ISLAND, SC) · checked 2026-10-30
How it compares
The starting rate is $3.57 above the South Carolina median for school bus drivers ($19.18/hr, BLS OEWS May 2025) and $0.41 above the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro median ($22.34/hr). The BLS median covers drivers at every experience level, so a new driver's rate is often below it.
| Charleston County employer | Start $/hr | Top $/hr | Sign-on bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston County School District | $23.00 | $34.73 | not stated |
| First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island) (this page) | $22.75 | $33.08 | $500 permit (CLP) bonus within 7 days; $200 within 14 |
Charleston County comparison · South Carolina school bus driver pay by district · Paid CDL training list · Split-shift calculator
Frequently asked questions
How much does First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island) pay school bus drivers?
Starting pay is $22.75/hr and the schedule tops out at $33.08/hr (2026), per First Student posting JR13912 (N CHARLESTON, SC).
Does First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island) offer paid CDL training?
Yes, according to the source linked on this page.
Does First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island) 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 JR13912 (N CHARLESTON, SC), First Student posting JR15928 (MT. PLEASANT, SC), First Student posting JR15932 (JOHNS ISLAND, SC)).
How does First Student — Charleston area (N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Johns Island) compare with nearby districts?
It ranks #2 of 2 for starting pay among the employers we list in Charleston County (the highest is Charleston County School District at $23.00/hr). Pay years differ, so check each source.
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