Bus Drivers, School Salary in Chicago, IL
Bus Drivers, School in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $49,180 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,407 take-home, or $3,284 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus drivers, school salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,722
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,049
- Medicare (1.45%)$713
- Illinois income tax$2,290
- Take-home pay$39,407
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. 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 Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,360 | $18.44 | $31,248 | $2,604 |
| 25th percentile | $47,560 | $22.87 | $38,185 | $3,182 |
| Median (50th) | $49,180 | $23.64 | $39,407 | $3,284 |
| 75th percentile | $59,930 | $28.81 | $47,512 | $3,959 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,600 | $30.10 | $49,525 | $4,127 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,180 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bus drivers, school's $39,407 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,039 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.3× 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
Chicago, IL ranks #26 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 |
| 26 | Chicago, IL | $49,180 | $39,407 | $38,039 |
*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 Chicago, IL?
The median bus drivers, school salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $49,180 a year, or about $23.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,560 and $59,930.
What is a bus drivers, school’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $49,180 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $39,407 a year ($3,284 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,290 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a bus drivers, school?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $47,920. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,039 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #26 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bus drivers, school afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median bus drivers, school’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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