As parts prices rise, so do tech wages. This and more in the results from School Bus Fleet's 2024 Maintenance Survey.
Survey Highlights
The average starting wage for school bus technicians among this year’s respondents rose $1.85 per hour compared to last year’s survey. Respondents who reported annual salaries rather than hourly wages were paid an average of $50,650.
Tech pay sees another increase, with an average hourly wage of $23.81 in 2024 -- up about $2 from last year.
At times, technicians get behind the wheel to lessen driver shortage. At half (50%) of the operations surveyed, technicians have had to cover a route often or daily this school year due to a shortage of drivers.
Survey respondents estimated the average age of their school bus fleets. The overall average of respondents’ fleet ages is 9.3 years, which is up compared to last year.
On average, school buses still make up almost three-quarters (73%) of the fleets maintained by survey respondents. Other vehicles include maintenance trucks, vans, and cars.
More than three-quarters (79%) of respondents report that they don’t buy any used school buses.
More than two-thirds (72%) of operators surveyed plan to buy new school buses this year. That’s up slightly compared to last year.
More than half (53%) of the shops surveyed use fleet maintenance software, steady compared to 2023.
Average school buses per technician: 20
Average number of maintenance bays: 4
Average number of buses per bay: 27
Average annual miles per bus: 17,752
