Contract school bus route operator

School districts, charter schools and private schools, and sometimes organizations that run field trips or activity transport.

A contract rate per route, per day or per mile, paid on a regular schedule during the school year. Extra income can come from field trips and sports runs.

• Safe, calm driving with children on board
• Organizing routes, schedules and driver cover
• Paperwork and record keeping
• Dealing with school staff and parents

• A commercial driver's license with passenger and school bus endorsements is typically needed for full-size buses, so check your state DMV
• Background checks, drug testing and driver training rules set by your state and district
• Vehicle inspection and bus color or equipment rules, which vary by state
• High insurance and maintenance costs, and no pay during summer breaks, so plan your cash flow
• Contracts may be awarded through competitive bids, so first revenue can take a while

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on whether you buy or lease buses, and on insurance and maintenance. Insurance and maintenance costs are high, so plan your cash flow.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $16,000, depending on how many routes and buses you run. There is no pay during summer breaks, and contracts may be awarded by competitive bid, so first revenue can take a while.

Check whether your state DMV requires a commercial driver's license with passenger and school bus endorsements. Also check background check, drug testing and training rules, and vehicle inspection and equipment rules, which vary by state and district.