Bus Drivers, School Salary in Washington, DC
Bus Drivers, School in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $57,610 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,171 take-home, or $3,848 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus drivers, school salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,733
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,572
- Medicare (1.45%)$835
- District of Columbia income tax$2,298
- Take-home pay$46,171
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,280 | $18.40 | $31,807 | $2,651 |
| 25th percentile | $48,870 | $23.50 | $39,681 | $3,307 |
| Median (50th) | $57,610 | $27.70 | $46,171 | $3,848 |
| 75th percentile | $62,450 | $30.02 | $49,746 | $4,145 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,150 | $35.65 | $57,621 | $4,802 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $57,610 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bus drivers, school's $46,171 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,404 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for bus drivers, school, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #14 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 |
| 14 | Washington, DC | $57,610 | $46,171 | $42,404 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median bus drivers, school salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $57,610 a year, or about $27.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,870 and $62,450.
What is a bus drivers, school’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $57,610 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $46,171 a year ($3,848 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,298 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a bus drivers, school?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $47,920. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,404 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #14 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bus drivers, school afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median bus drivers, school’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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