Is First Student a good company to work for?

First Student has an overall rating of 3.6 out of 5, based on over 5,110 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 2% over the last 12 months. 68% of employees would recommend working at First Student to a friend and 64% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about First Student have been left by employees working as Graduate Student , Intern and Bus Driver/School Bus Driver .

Does First Student pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, First Student employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.4 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at First Student. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at First Student?

68% of First Student employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated First Student 3.7 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.4 for culture and values and 3.4 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at First Student?

School Bus Driver (494) , Graduate Student (365) , Software Engineer (195) , Bus Driver (165) , Driver (125) , Student Worker (67) , Data Entry (63) , Software Developer (59) , Internship (51) , Working Student (45) , Intern (43) , PhD Student (33) , Web Developer (30) , Bus Monitor (25) , Mechanical Engineer (25)

What are the pros of working at First Student according to real employee reviews?

"Pay was good and it was consistent" ((in 167 reviews)); "Worth ethics is good and people are supporting" ((in 106 reviews)); "Good Workplace and good environment" ((in 55 reviews)); "Work life balance is good" ((in 38 reviews)); "CDL Training for later use in life" ((in 38 reviews))

What are the cons of working at First Student according to real employee reviews?

"Bad management but now its good" ((in 109 reviews)); "Low salary compared to industry average" ((in 80 reviews)); "Not enough hour No benefit Not enough hour No benefit Not enough hour No benefitNot enough hour No benefit" ((in 79 reviews)); "Hours are long and do not let you sleep." ((in 53 reviews)); "Very difficult company to work for umess you have a good manager." ((in 24 reviews))

What are employees saying about First Student layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about First Student layoffs and their outlook for job security at First Student in 2026.

What are the top reviewed First Student locations?

Cincinnati , New York , Chicago , Saint Louis , Houston , San Francisco , Los Angeles , Buffalo , Seattle , Portland , Bozeman , Indianapolis , Wichita , Boston , Atlanta , Syracuse , Dallas , Naperville , Rochester , Milwaukee , Philadelphia , Normal , Crest Hill , Schaumburg , Tacoma , Providence , Boise , DeKalb , Springfield , Kansas City

First Student reviews

3.6

68% would recommend to a friend

(3,736 total reviews)

John Kenning

72% approve of CEO

64% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (3,736 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

First Student has an employee rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars, based on 3,736 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The First Student employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Transportation & Logistics industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

4K reviews

2.0

Jun 4, 2019

Retiree's this job is for you

School bus driver

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible hours with PLENTY in between time

Cons

If you are not retired or a stay at home mom who just needs something to do this job is NOT for you

2.0

May 30, 2019

I wouldn't ever work for them again

School bus driver

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Summers and other holiday breaks you are off work, and get to file unemployment during those times. Due to the fact that you are considered laid off because first student is a contracted out company, and bot a part of the school district.

Cons

Management is awful to there employees. Its like high school all over again. Ridiculous.

1.0

May 27, 2019

ABSOLUTELY THE WORST PLACE TO WORK, STEER CLEAR!!!

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The only thing that made this job worthwhile were the other people that work there, but not all of them you understand! Some of the kids are awesome! Easy to fall in love with some of them! Which of course you're not supposed to do! Lots of gossip goes around, it's sickening. Other than certain people there is nothing about this place that makes it worthwhile!

Cons

The biggest con to working here is actually working there. The atmosphere is terrible! They do not care about their employees at all, if you have a pulse and a warm body you're good to go. Training is absolutely laughable just sign the paper to show that you've been trained!

Viewing 3220 - 3222 of 3,736 Reviews

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First Student

First Student reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Retiree's this job is for you

I wouldn't ever work for them again

ABSOLUTELY THE WORST PLACE TO WORK, STEER CLEAR!!!

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