How Much Does a Bus Driver Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$47,920
Bus drivers in the U.S. earn a median of $47,920 a year, or $23.04 an hour. Half of bus drivers earn more than $47,920 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $65,730.
Pay percentiles for bus drivers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $14.06 | $29,240 |
| 25th | $18.58 | $38,650 |
| 50th (median) | $23.04 | $47,920 |
| 75th | $28.09 | $58,430 |
| 90th | $31.60 | $65,730 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Bus Drivers, School (SOC 53-3051). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for bus drivers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $65,170 | $31.33 | +36% |
| Washington | $63,370 | $30.47 | +32% |
| Connecticut | $61,520 | $29.58 | +28% |
| California | $61,040 | $29.35 | +27% |
| New Jersey | $59,430 | $28.57 | +24% |
| Hawaii | $59,090 | $28.41 | +23% |
| Rhode Island | $58,700 | $28.22 | +22% |
| New York | $56,640 | $27.23 | +18% |
| Vermont | $56,580 | $27.20 | +18% |
| Maryland | $56,450 | $27.14 | +18% |
| United States | $47,920 | $23.04 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many bus drivers are there?
BLS counts about 402,930 bus drivers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Bus Drivers, School”. The most jobs are in New York (38,320), Texas (37,550) and Pennsylvania (23,670).
The mean (average) annual wage is $48,430, higher than the median of $47,920.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,993
- Biweekly
- $1,843
- Weekly
- $922
- Daily (8 hours)
- $184
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do bus drivers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for bus drivers is $23.04. The middle 50% earn between $18.58 and $28.09 an hour.
Which state pays bus drivers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median wage for bus drivers at $65,170, +36% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for bus drivers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of bus drivers earn less than $29,240 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.