Bus Driver Salary Overview
The Bus Driver is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $46,200. Compensation typically ranges from $30,200 for entry-level positions to $68,400 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Bus Driver in the US earns between $30,200 and $68,400 per year, with a median of $46,200.
Bus Driver Salary by Experience
Entry-level bus drivers earn around $30,030, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $62,370 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $27,720 | $13/hr | $23,972 |
| Mid | $46,200 | $22/hr | $38,098 |
| Senior | $57,750 | $28/hr | $46,685 |
| Lead | $72,072 | $35/hr | $56,225 |
Bus Driver Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Bus Driver in each US state.
Pay for bus drivers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,200 | $3,506 | $2,145 | $3,534 | $37,015 | 19.9% |
| Alaska | $46,200 | $3,506 | $0 | $3,534 | $39,160 | 15.2% |
| Arizona | $46,200 | $3,506 | $790 | $3,534 | $38,370 | 16.9% |
| Arkansas | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,807 | $3,534 | $37,354 | 19.1% |
| California | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,063 | $3,534 | $38,098 | 17.5% |
| Colorado | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,373 | $3,534 | $37,787 | 18.2% |
| Connecticut | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,829 | $3,534 | $37,331 | 19.2% |
| Delaware | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,997 | $3,534 | $37,163 | 19.6% |
| District of Columbia | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,696 | $3,534 | $37,464 | 18.9% |
| Florida | $46,200 | $3,506 | $0 | $3,534 | $39,160 | 15.2% |
| Georgia | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,878 | $3,534 | $37,283 | 19.3% |
| Hawaii | $46,200 | $3,506 | $2,898 | $3,534 | $36,263 | 21.5% |
| Idaho | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,833 | $3,534 | $37,327 | 19.2% |
| Illinois | $46,200 | $3,506 | $2,150 | $3,534 | $37,011 | 19.9% |
| Indiana | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,409 | $3,534 | $37,751 | 18.3% |
| Iowa | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,756 | $3,534 | $37,405 | 19.0% |
| Kansas | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,976 | $3,534 | $37,184 | 19.5% |
| Kentucky | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,722 | $3,534 | $37,439 | 19.0% |
| Louisiana | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,411 | $3,534 | $37,749 | 18.3% |
| Maine | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,886 | $3,534 | $37,275 | 19.3% |
| Maryland | $46,200 | $3,506 | $2,021 | $3,534 | $37,139 | 19.6% |
| Massachusetts | $46,200 | $3,506 | $2,090 | $3,534 | $37,070 | 19.8% |
| Michigan | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,726 | $3,534 | $37,435 | 19.0% |
| Minnesota | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,692 | $3,534 | $37,468 | 18.9% |
| Mississippi | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,593 | $3,534 | $37,567 | 18.7% |
| Missouri | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,347 | $3,534 | $37,814 | 18.2% |
| Montana | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,618 | $3,534 | $37,542 | 18.7% |
| Nebraska | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,212 | $3,534 | $37,948 | 17.9% |
| Nevada | $46,200 | $3,506 | $0 | $3,534 | $39,160 | 15.2% |
| New Hampshire | $46,200 | $3,506 | $0 | $3,534 | $39,160 | 15.2% |
| New Jersey | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,060 | $3,534 | $38,100 | 17.5% |
| New Mexico | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,269 | $3,534 | $37,891 | 18.0% |
| New York | $46,200 | $3,506 | $2,021 | $3,534 | $37,139 | 19.6% |
| North Carolina | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,505 | $3,534 | $37,655 | 18.5% |
| North Dakota | $46,200 | $3,506 | $616 | $3,534 | $38,544 | 16.6% |
| Ohio | $46,200 | $3,506 | $553 | $3,534 | $38,607 | 16.4% |
| Oklahoma | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,704 | $3,534 | $37,456 | 18.9% |
| Oregon | $46,200 | $3,506 | $3,517 | $3,534 | $35,643 | 22.9% |
| Pennsylvania | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,418 | $3,534 | $37,742 | 18.3% |
| Rhode Island | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,337 | $3,534 | $37,823 | 18.1% |
| South Carolina | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,329 | $3,534 | $37,831 | 18.1% |
| South Dakota | $46,200 | $3,506 | $0 | $3,534 | $39,160 | 15.2% |
| Tennessee | $46,200 | $3,506 | $0 | $3,534 | $39,160 | 15.2% |
| Texas | $46,200 | $3,506 | $0 | $3,534 | $39,160 | 15.2% |
| Utah | $46,200 | $3,506 | $2,148 | $3,534 | $37,012 | 19.9% |
| Vermont | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,312 | $3,534 | $37,849 | 18.1% |
| Virginia | $46,200 | $3,506 | $2,140 | $3,534 | $37,020 | 19.9% |
| Washington | $46,200 | $3,506 | $0 | $3,534 | $39,160 | 15.2% |
| West Virginia | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,532 | $3,534 | $37,628 | 18.6% |
| Wisconsin | $46,200 | $3,506 | $1,361 | $3,534 | $37,799 | 18.2% |
| Wyoming | $46,200 | $3,506 | $0 | $3,534 | $39,160 | 15.2% |
Top Cities for Bus Driver Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for bus drivers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $50,820 |
| Seattle, WA | $50,820 |
| Anchorage, AK | $50,820 |
| San Francisco, CA | $50,820 |
| Boston, MA | $50,820 |
Calculate Bus Driver Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
--
--
--
Gross Annual
--
Total Tax
--
Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
--
State Tax
--
Social Security
--
Medicare
--
Tax Distribution
Calculating...
Pay Frequency Breakdown
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculating... | |||
How to Become a Bus Driver
Becoming a bus driver typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Bus Driver Career Outlook
Employment of bus drivers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Bus Driver Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for bus drivers in the US is $46,200, with a typical range from $30,200 to $68,400 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for bus drivers include NY, WA, AK. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level bus drivers can expect to earn around $30,030 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a bus driver can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for bus drivers is approximately $22.21, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.