Bus Drivers, School Salary in Buffalo, NY
Bus Drivers, School in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median $51,500 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,376 take-home, or $3,448 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus drivers, school salary in Buffalo, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,000
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,193
- Medicare (1.45%)$747
- New York income tax$2,184
- Take-home pay$41,376
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Bus Drivers, School pay by experience in Buffalo, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,730 | $21.99 | $37,052 | $3,088 |
| 25th percentile | $48,250 | $23.20 | $38,940 | $3,245 |
| Median (50th) | $51,500 | $24.76 | $41,376 | $3,448 |
| 75th percentile | $58,090 | $27.93 | $46,315 | $3,860 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,120 | $29.87 | $49,336 | $4,111 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $51,500 buys in Buffalo, NY
Prices in Buffalo, NY are 4.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 19% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bus drivers, school's $41,376 take-home pay has the buying power of $43,170 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Buffalo, NY has 2.1× the national concentration of bus drivers, school jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bus drivers, school, adjusted for cost of living
Buffalo, NY ranks #10 of 30 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $66,380 | $55,516 | $49,955 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $73,680 | $57,024 | $49,323 |
| 3 | Hartford, CT | $61,560 | $49,798 | $48,467 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $65,170 | $51,506 | $47,573 |
| 5 | Providence, RI | $59,320 | $48,236 | $47,396 |
| 6 | Riverside, CA | $61,900 | $49,348 | $46,362 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $62,190 | $47,538 | $45,093 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $57,850 | $46,278 | $44,291 |
| 10 | Buffalo, NY | $51,500 | $41,376 | $43,170 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 30 metros →
About the job: bus drivers, school
Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.7% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Bus Drivers, School salaries elsewhere in New York
- Rochester, NY — $51,780
- New York, NY — $59,790
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus drivers, school make in Buffalo, NY?
The median bus drivers, school salary in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $51,500 a year, or about $24.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,250 and $58,090.
What is a bus drivers, school’s take-home pay in Buffalo, NY?
On the median $51,500 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $41,376 a year ($3,448 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,184 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Buffalo, NY a good place to work as a bus drivers, school?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $47,920. Local prices are 4.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $43,170 would in a typical U.S. city. Buffalo, NY ranks #10 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bus drivers, school afford rent in Buffalo, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Buffalo, NY is $1,139 a month ($1,343 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median bus drivers, school’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Buffalo, NY
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,440
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $43,130
- Light Truck Driver — $42,640
- Stocker and Order Filler — $37,970