Bus Drivers, School Salary in Charlotte, NC
Bus Drivers, School in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $46,020 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,830 take-home, or $3,152 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus drivers, school salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,342
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,853
- Medicare (1.45%)$667
- North Carolina income tax$1,327
- Take-home pay$37,830
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Bus Drivers, School pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,310 | $16.98 | $29,651 | $2,471 |
| 25th percentile | $37,480 | $18.02 | $31,308 | $2,609 |
| Median (50th) | $46,020 | $22.13 | $37,830 | $3,152 |
| 75th percentile | $46,740 | $22.47 | $38,379 | $3,198 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,980 | $24.03 | $40,853 | $3,404 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,020 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bus drivers, school's $37,830 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,860 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bus Drivers, School jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.13).
Best-paying cities for bus drivers, school, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Charlotte, NC | $46,020 | $37,830 | $38,860 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus drivers, school make in Charlotte, NC?
The median bus drivers, school salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $46,020 a year, or about $22.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,480 and $46,740.
What is a bus drivers, school’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $46,020 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $37,830 a year ($3,152 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,327 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a bus drivers, school?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $47,920. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,860 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #22 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bus drivers, school afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median bus drivers, school’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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