Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Chicago, IL
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $65,200 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,486 take-home, or $4,290 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus drivers, transit and intercity salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,644
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,042
- Medicare (1.45%)$945
- Illinois income tax$3,083
- Take-home pay$51,486
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, Transit and Intercity pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,160 | $25.08 | $41,653 | $3,471 |
| 25th percentile | $61,720 | $29.67 | $48,862 | $4,072 |
| Median (50th) | $65,200 | $31.35 | $51,486 | $4,290 |
| 75th percentile | $85,990 | $41.34 | $65,212 | $5,434 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,990 | $41.34 | $65,212 | $5,434 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,200 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, transit and intercity's $51,486 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,699 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 1.5× the national concentration of bus drivers, transit and intercity jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bus drivers, transit and intercity, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #5 of 11 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $83,430 | $67,523 | $60,759 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $78,130 | $60,172 | $53,457 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $78,900 | $60,202 | $52,072 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $70,120 | $54,873 | $50,684 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $65,200 | $51,486 | $49,699 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $65,220 | $51,791 | $47,566 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $68,020 | $53,568 | $47,169 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $57,800 | $46,240 | $44,255 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 11 metros →
About the job: bus drivers, transit and intercity
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.1% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Chicago, IL?
The median bus drivers, transit and intercity salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $65,200 a year, or about $31.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,720 and $85,990.
What is a bus drivers, transit and intercity’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $65,200 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $51,486 a year ($4,290 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,083 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a bus drivers, transit and intercity?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $59,050. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,699 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #5 of 11 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bus drivers, transit and intercity 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) — 36% of a median bus drivers, transit and intercity’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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