Is First Student a good company to work for?

First Student has an overall rating of 3.7 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 2% 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 3.5 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 156 reviews)); "Worth ethics is good and people are supporting" ((in 117 reviews)); "Nice working place and good environment" ((in 50 reviews)); "Good Work life balance all time" ((in 41 reviews)); "Free training for a CDL." ((in 40 reviews))

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

"Bad management but now its good" ((in 108 reviews)); "Low salary and no retaining of interns" ((in 80 reviews)); "Not enough hour No benefit Not enough hour No benefit Not enough hour No benefitNot enough hour No benefit" ((in 80 reviews)); "Long hours and boring work" ((in 55 reviews)); "Very difficult company to work for umess you have a good manager." ((in 25 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

3.7

68% would recommend to a friend

(3,736 total reviews)

John Kenning

73% 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 3.7 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

3.0

Feb 21, 2023

n/a

School bus driver

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

the hours were flexible pay grade was reasonable

Cons

the split shift is pro & con

4.0

Feb 20, 2023

PAY IS BETTER

Bus driver

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

New salary scale union helped negotiate more money and benefits. The income you now make allow you to make a living. There is one caveat worth making you aware of there is little to no summer work hours. Depending on your situation this is a plus or a minus you decide. Healthy retirees should use the average of 6 hours a day to make ends meet !

Cons

Must like kids as you will have some challenge your sanity. Management expectations are unrealistic sometimes to succeed there you need to not let them get to you. Routes are decided on Seniority only expect 2-3 years before you will get the route you want.

1.0

Feb 17, 2023

Bad Management

School bus driver

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Decent pay for what the job is,

Cons

Dealing with badly behaving riders and parents

Viewing 640 - 642 of 3,736 Reviews

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Jobs at First Student

First Student

First Student reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

n/a

PAY IS BETTER

Bad Management

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