Bus Drivers, School Salary in Providence, RI
Bus Drivers, School in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $59,320 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,236 take-home, or $4,020 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus drivers, school salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,938
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,678
- Medicare (1.45%)$860
- Rhode Island income tax$1,608
- Take-home pay$48,236
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. 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 Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,750 | $22.96 | $39,373 | $3,281 |
| 25th percentile | $50,590 | $24.32 | $41,549 | $3,462 |
| Median (50th) | $59,320 | $28.52 | $48,236 | $4,020 |
| 75th percentile | $63,820 | $30.68 | $51,683 | $4,307 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,180 | $32.30 | $54,189 | $4,516 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,320 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bus drivers, school's $48,236 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,396 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Providence, RI has 1.4× 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
Providence, RI ranks #5 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 |
*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 Providence, RI?
The median bus drivers, school salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $59,320 a year, or about $28.52 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,590 and $63,820.
What is a bus drivers, school’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $59,320 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $48,236 a year ($4,020 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,608 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a bus drivers, school?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $47,920. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,396 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #5 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bus drivers, school afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median bus drivers, school’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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