Job prospects Bus Operator in Nova Scotia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "bus operator" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nova Scotia

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (NOC 73301) in Nova Scotia for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Both municipal transit systems and school transportation providers have reported difficulty hiring bus drivers in recent years, improving employment prospects for those seeking work in this occupation. Barriers to entry are relatively low: applicants are typically only required to have a regular (class 5) driver’s license and a clean driving history. A free training course is usually provided to those without a class 2 license, and some employers pay an hourly wage during training or a bonus upon completion.

Here are some key facts about Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators in Nova Scotia:

• Approximately 2,450 people work in this occupation.
• Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Transit and ground passenger transportation (NAICS 485): 66%
  • Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 22%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 63% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 37% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 33% of bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators work all year, while 67% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 74% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 26% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 12% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 42% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 19% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 20% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Nova Scotia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "bus operator" Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (NOC 73301) or across Canada.

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