Before you pay anyone tuition
Some employers will hire you without a license, train you, and pay you while you learn.
Most advice tells you to find a school and then find a scholarship. For a lot of people that is the wrong order. Every employer below trains its own drivers — and each claim here is quoted from the employer's own careers page, not summarized.
The whole scholarship market for a Washington student with no veteran, tribal or disability status is roughly $1,000 to $3,000 a year. The best-paying employer here pays more than that in the first month of training.
Veterans: employers approved for on-the-job training · 5
If you served, these employers are approved by the VA for on-the-job training. They pay you a wage while you train, and the GI Bill adds a monthly housing allowance on top of that wage. It is the best-paid way into this work that exists, and hardly anyone is told it is there.
JB Hunt Transport Services INC-Fife
Fife
“JB HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES INC-FIFE is approved by the VA for on-the-job training. Under an OJT approval the employer pays a wage during training and the GI Bill adds a monthly housing allowance. VA facility code 20475347.”
Paid while training: yes
King County Metro Transit
Seattle
“KING COUNTY METRO TRANSIT is approved by the VA for on-the-job training. Under an OJT approval the employer pays a wage during training and the GI Bill adds a monthly housing allowance. VA facility code 10489747.”
Paid while training: yes
Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation
Lakewood
“PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT AREA CORPORATION is approved by the VA for on-the-job training. Under an OJT approval the employer pays a wage during training and the GI Bill adds a monthly housing allowance. VA facility code 10489247.”
Paid while training: yes
Skookum Corporation AND Directorate OF Logistics
Joint Bas Lewis Mcchord
“SKOOKUM CORPORATION AND DIRECTORATE OF LOGISTICS is approved by the VA for on-the-job training. Under an OJT approval the employer pays a wage during training and the GI Bill adds a monthly housing allowance. VA facility code 10444347.”
Paid while training: yes
Swift Transportation-Sumner
Sumner
“SWIFT TRANSPORTATION-SUMNER is approved by the VA for on-the-job training. Under an OJT approval the employer pays a wage during training and the GI Bill adds a monthly housing allowance. VA facility code 20V82647.”
Paid while training: yes
Registered apprenticeship · 1
A registered apprenticeship charges no tuition and raises your pay at set milestones. Read the quoted terms carefully — one of the few in Washington does not pay during its initial classroom course, only once you are dispatched to an employer.
Washington Construction Teamsters Apprenticeship Committee
Step 1 $28.27/hr (70% of journey); journey $40.38/hr
Pasco · minimum age 18
“You are not paid for the six weeks of initial training.”
Paid while training: NO for the 240-hour pre-CDL course; YES once dispatched to an employer
Transit agencies · 11
Ben Franklin Transit
Step 1 $29.23/hr to Step 6 $36.80/hr (eff. 2026-06-01)
Richland
“BFT will pay the full cost of the CDL required for the position of Coach Operator once per contract. This is payable upon receipt.”
Paid while training: yes (Training Wage $25.10/hr eff. 2026-06-01)
Chelan Douglas PTBA
Wenatchee
Link Transit offers paid CDL training
“pays_during_training: "Paid training and CDL testing" || trains_own_drivers: "Link Transit offers paid CDL training"”
Paid while training: Paid training and CDL testing
Careers at Chelan Douglas PTBAchecked Aug 30, 2026Community Transit
$33.54/hr rising to $39.31/hr
Everett · minimum age 21
“No bus driving experience or Commercial Driver License (CDL) is required to apply.”
Paid while training: yes ($32.05/hr)
Careers at Community Transitchecked Aug 30, 2026Everett Transit
[UNVERIFIED] not published on recruitment page
Everett · minimum age 21
“If you don't have a Commercial Driver License (CDL), that's okay! Everett Transit provides CDL training!”
Paid while training: yes (paid 30-day training; rate not published)
Intercity Transit
$27.13/hr Step A to $38.44 Step F; $39.60 at 15 years
Olympia
“No CDL? No problem! You do not need a Commercial Driver License (CDL) or endorsements to apply. All newly hired Coach Operators complete 11 weeks of paid training.”
Paid while training: yes (11 weeks paid training)
King County Metro
$31.39/hr post-training; $44.84/hr at 36 months
Seattle · minimum age 21
“No experience or Commercial Driver License (CDL) required to start and get paid while you earn your CDL ($23.32/hr training rate).”
Paid while training: yes ($23.32/hr training rate)
Kitsap Transit
Routed $28.54/hr yr1 to $39.69 yr7; ACCESS $27.28 to $38.68
Bremerton · minimum age 18
“No experience required and paid training provided. ... Minimum Qualifications & Entry Requirements: Must be at least 18 years old at the time of hire”
Paid while training: yes (rate not published)
Northwestern Stagelines Inc
Spokane
Free CDL training is available
“trains_own_drivers: "Free CDL training is available"”
Careers at Northwestern Stagelines Incchecked Aug 30, 2026Pierce Transit
Transit Operator $33.08-$40.02/hr
Lakewood · minimum age 21
“Must obtain a Commercial License Permit with passenger endorsement prior to receiving final job offer.”
Paid while training: yes (Transit Operator Trainee $31.75/hr)
Spokane Transit Authority
$28.00-$36.30/hr
Spokane
“You do not need a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or professional transit experience to be hired as a coach operator. We teach operators everything they need to know during training.”
Paid while training: yes ($25.41/hr, first 10 weeks)
Valley Transit
Non-exempt hourly employee Hiring Range: $25.69 - $33.25 per hour -
Walla Walla
All persons selected for this position must successfully complete or have completed a new operator training program
“starting_wage: "Non-exempt hourly employee Hiring Range: $25.69 - $33.25 per hour -" || trains_own_drivers: "All persons selected for this position must successfully complete or have completed a new operator training program"”
Careers at Valley Transitchecked Aug 30, 2026
School districts · 6
Evergreen Public Schools
[UNVERIFIED]
Vancouver · minimum age [UNVERIFIED]
“Paid CDL classroom training at $20 per hour / Paid behind the wheel training at $20 per hour / Reimbursement of fees to obtain CDL license (after 90 day probationary period)”
Paid while training: yes ($20/hr classroom AND behind-the-wheel, paid up to 40 hours; CDL fee reimbursement after 90 days)
Federal Way Public Schools
$33.27/hr (range $33.27-$36.72)
Federal Way · minimum age 21 plus 5 years driving
“NEW TO BUS DRIVING? Get paid to get your Commercial Driver's License (CDL) - the hourly rate for paid training is $22/HR”
Paid while training: yes ($22/hr paid CDL training, plus $250 after the CDL test and $250 after 45 workdays)
Kent School District
$31.22/hr (range $31.22-$36.87, Teamsters)
Kent · minimum age not stated; requires minimum of five years driving experience
yes (4-week program)
“Kent School District provides paid training for eligible bus driver candidates hired as Bus Driver Trainees. The temporary employee rate is $17.13 per hour, with a training maximum of 200 hours.”
Paid while training: yes ($17.13/hr as Bus Driver Trainee, max 200 hours)
Lake Washington School District
$38.93/hr base (Teamsters 763)
Redmond · minimum age 25
“Qualifications: 25 years of age or older; Valid Washington State driver's license with a minimum of 5 years' experience; Valid Commercial Driver's License Permit before training”
Paid while training: yes ('Paid Training' listed as a benefit; rate not published)
Northshore School District
$36.22/hr
Bothell · minimum age 25
“Northshore School District is currently hiring substitute and regular bus drivers. Hourly rates start at $36.22 with paid training! Learn how to drive a bus and prepare to obtain your CDL. Drivers must be 25 years of age”
Paid while training: yes (rate not published)
Puyallup School District
[UNVERIFIED] - posting defers to the Bus Driver-PSE salary schedule
Puyallup · minimum age 21 plus 5 years driving
“Be at least 21 years of age with at least 5 years driving experience ... CDL classroom work and behind the wheel training provided (Upon Hire)”
Paid while training: [UNVERIFIED] - training is 'provided', paid status not stated
delivery · 2
Amazon Transportation Services (Transportation Associate / yard hostler)
[UNVERIFIED] not published in posting
Kelso · minimum age 21
yes - Amazon-run CDL School named in the posting
“conduct yard audits, complete applicable driver training programs (Hostler, Commercial Driver's License (CDL) School, etc.), and operate multiple vehicle types based on business need”
Paid while training: yes - regular hourly employee wage (rate not published in posting)
FedEx Express - Tractor Trailer Driver Apprentice (RTD)
$24.25-$35.54/hr (Harrisburg PA posting)
· minimum age 21
yes - apprentice title; CDL obtained within 90 days of hire
“Must obtain & maintain valid commercial driver's license (CDL) & a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) for type of vehicle assigned within 90 days ... Must be at least 21 years of age.”
Paid while training: yes - the posted hourly range applies to the apprentice role
foodservice distribution · 1
Sysco - CDL Driver Academy Trainee (Non-CDL)
[UNVERIFIED]
· minimum age 21
yes - CDL Driver Academy; CDL earned within 90 days of start
“Sysco has immediate job openings for CDL A Delivery Truck Driver Trainees without a CDL to train to become dependable Delivery Partners. You will train for your Class-A CDL”
Paid while training: yes - full-time paid employee from start (range not published)
National carriers · 9
Heartland Express (absorbed Gordon Trucking)
OTR average $69,474/yr, top $99,433/yr (company-published averages, NOT starting pay)
Tacoma
yes (free 12-week apprenticeship)
“Announcing our free apprenticeship program! get paid to earn your class a! Our apprenticeship program takes place over 12 weeks”
Paid while training: yes
Knight Transportation
$0.45-$0.62 CPM on posted OTR training jobs
yes (Knight CDL Academy, Phoenix AZ and Indianapolis IN)
“Have you graduated CDL School but don't have any Class A driving experience yet? While training over the road (OTR) with Knight Transportation, you will get real-world driving experience”
Paid while training: yes (Average $850 a week while with a Trainer)
Prime Inc
12 cents per mile during training; guaranteed income of $600 per week
· minimum age 21
yes (Prime Student Driver Program)
“The entire cost of your training (valued at $3,500) is forgiven by Prime after one year of driving for the company”
Paid while training: yes ($200/wk loan for food and incidentals, then 12 CPM with a $600/wk guarantee)
Roehl Transport
1-year drivers average $1,400/week; top 50% $1,580/week (over $82,000 a year)
yes (Get Your CDL / GYCDL program)
“In fact, in our Get Your CDL Program you can get paid while you get your CDL”
Paid while training: yes ($400 Hire Bonus phase 1; daily pay rate while on the road phase 2)
Schneider
[UNVERIFIED] not published (refers to a Guarantee Pay program)
yes (own facilities plus partner schools)
“Schneider offers a wide selection of truck driving jobs for inexperienced drivers and is the ideal carrier for drivers who are new to trucking”
Paid while training: unclear - 'paid CDL training' stated, no amount published
Stevens Transport
[UNVERIFIED] not published
· minimum age 22
yes (company-sponsored CDL school)
“Our company-sponsored truck driver training requires no out-of-pocket costs, just your commitment”
Paid while training: partial - CDL school itself not stated as paid; 240-hour paid on-the-job training follows
Swift Transportation
[UNVERIFIED] not published
Sumner
yes (Swift Academies; nearest is Lewiston, ID)
“Recent Graduate? Start your career with our entry-level truck driving jobs”
Paid while training: [UNVERIFIED] not published on the recent-graduates page
TMC Transportation
First-year drivers at TMC are earning up to $100,000! (marketing claim, not a floor)
· minimum age 23
yes (in-house 3-week CDL program)
“At TMC, we hire recent CDL graduates and drivers with no Class A experience and help them polish their driving and securement skills”
Paid while training: yes ($500 per week at the training facility; $650/wk in OTR training; $1,300 on completing flatbed training)
Werner
[UNVERIFIED] not published
· minimum age 21 interstate; 18-20 flagged via SDAP
yes (owns Roadmaster Drivers School)
“Werner works with CDL training schools nationwide and owns Roadmaster Drivers School, offering 23 locations and comprehensive training”
Paid while training: [UNVERIFIED] not stated on page
School bus contractors · 2
First Student
$33.60/hr Tacoma; $24.50-$33.60/hr across WA yards
Tacoma · minimum age 21 plus 5 years licensed
“No experience is necessary to become a school bus charter driver! Hourly Rate: $33.60 per hour / Training Hourly Rate: $17.13 per hour / Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training provided!”
Paid while training: yes ($17.13/hr at the Tacoma yard; varies by yard)
Zum (Zum Services Inc.)
$31.00-$36.40/hr DOE
Seattle · minimum age [UNVERIFIED]
“We are seeking Certified School Bus drivers for Seattle Public School routes and charter trips and if you're not yet certified we'll pay for your certification and training.”
Paid while training: yes - pays for certification and training (no separate training rate published)
Washington carriers · 2
Oak Harbor Freight Lines
[UNVERIFIED] not published
Auburn
“Oak Harbor Freight Lines offers an internal training program at no cost to current employees who have worked for Oak Harbor for 6 months or more. Get paid while in training for your future!”
Paid while training: yes
System Transport (Trans-System / TFI International)
$.59 - $.73 per mile, depending on experience and route
Cheney · minimum age 21
“If you're a new CDL graduate, begin your flatbed truck driving career with an industry leader. At System Transport you will be paid for completing your in-depth training program following your orientation.”
Paid while training: yes
Waste and recycling · 1
WM (Waste Management)
[UNVERIFIED]
· minimum age 18
yes (national)
“Candidates must be at least 18 years of age for employment with WM.”
Paid while training: [UNVERIFIED]
What we are not telling you
- “Paid training” does not always mean paid from day one. A registered apprenticeship commonly pays once you are dispatched and not during the initial weeks. Where an employer says that, we quote it rather than flattening it to a yes.
- Wages change and postings expire. Each row shows when we last checked. Confirm before you rely on it.
- School bus needs five years of licensed driving history in Washington, which closes it to younger and recently arrived applicants even where the employer is hiring.
- We have not verified which of these hire from which schools. That work is in progress, and we would rather show the gap than guess.
If paying for training is still the right route, compare Washington programs →