LARGO, Fla. — The Pinellas County School Board voted unanimously on Monday to give its bus drivers a pay raise.

The wage increase will make Pinellas’ drivers among the highest paid in the Bay area.

With more than 300 routes and about 250 drivers, the county has continued to experience a driver shortage. The district currently has about 60 unfilled bus driver positions and that number rises when bus drivers are absent due to illness or personal reasons.   

With the vote approval, beginning drivers’ pay will increase from $16.25 to $19.79 per hour. Experienced drivers will be bumped up to $21.75 an hour.

These raises equate to a salary increase of either 10% or 20%.  Current employees will remain at the same level on the current salary schedule, considering years of experience.

This salary increase will take effect immediately.

School officials are optimistic the pay increase also can help recruit additional drivers.