Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity earn a median $59,050 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
U.S. median
$59,050
$28.39 per hour
Range
$40,030 – $84,700
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
159,240
across the U.S.
▲2.8%
Pay trend: The median for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the U.S. rose from $57,440 (May 2024) to $59,050 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What bus drivers, transit and intercity do
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)
- Openings per year
- 21,100
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of bus drivers, transit and intercity is projected to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 21,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$49,627
per year · effective tax rate 16.0%
$4,136Monthly
$2,068Twice a month
$1,909Every 2 weeks
$23.86Hourly
- Federal income tax$4,906
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,661
- Medicare (1.45%)$856
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,627
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,030 | $19.25 | $34,344 |
| 25th percentile | $47,530 | $22.85 | $40,370 |
| Median (50th) | $59,050 | $28.39 | $49,627 |
| 75th percentile | $70,700 | $33.99 | $58,567 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,700 | $40.72 | $68,416 |
Best cities for bus drivers, transit and intercity (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $83,430 | $67,523 | $60,759 | 4,430 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $78,130 | $60,172 | $53,457 | 19,770 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $78,900 | $60,202 | $52,072 | 5,540 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $70,120 | $54,873 | $50,684 | 3,270 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $65,200 | $51,486 | $49,699 | 7,080 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $65,220 | $51,791 | $47,566 | 4,070 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $68,020 | $53,568 | $47,169 | 10,140 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $57,800 | $46,240 | $44,255 | 2,420 |
| 9 | Houston, TX | $50,430 | $42,701 | $43,294 | 3,400 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $46,430 | $37,700 | $37,678 | 2,590 |
| 11 | Miami, FL | $48,300 | $40,989 | $35,906 | 3,620 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Seattle, WA — $83,430
- San Francisco, CA — $78,900
- New York, NY — $78,130
- Boston, MA — $70,120
- Los Angeles, CA — $68,020
- Washington, DC — $65,220
- Chicago, IL — $65,200
- Baltimore, MD — $57,800
- Houston, TX — $50,430
- Miami, FL — $48,300
- Atlanta, GA — $46,430
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $84,480 | +2.5% | $64,297 | $57,610 – $84,700 | 16,770 |
| Washington | $72,280 | +2.7% | $59,679 | $55,520 – $93,180 | 6,960 |
| Hawaii | $68,500 | −0.9% | $53,344 | $46,870 – $68,500 | 2,190 |
| California | $67,130 | +7.5% | $53,025 | $48,600 – $90,810 | 24,380 |
| Oregon | $65,510 | +4.1% | $49,915 | $47,100 – $81,110 | 2,620 |
| Massachusetts | $65,460 | +4.1% | $51,724 | $50,380 – $93,500 | 3,970 |
| Maryland | $65,220 | −6.1% | $51,850 | $46,770 – $92,320 | 4,890 |
| Illinois | $65,200 | −6.8% | $51,486 | $47,270 – $85,990 | 8,650 |
| Alaska | $64,150 | +3.0% | $53,725 | $46,960 – $76,230 | 250 |
| Colorado | $63,010 | +2.8% | $50,744 | $50,870 – $71,090 | 3,540 |
| Ohio | $62,760 | +15.5% | $51,664 | $40,660 – $74,270 | 4,000 |
| Nevada | $61,700 | +44.2% | $51,756 | $43,590 – $90,540 | 2,540 |
| New Jersey | $61,140 | −1.7% | $49,476 | $48,340 – $70,700 | 6,420 |
| Missouri | $60,660 | +12.1% | $49,007 | $39,030 – $67,040 | 1,860 |
| Delaware | $60,510 | +14.7% | $48,118 | $39,390 – $65,710 | 380 |
| Connecticut | $60,100 | +5.7% | $48,691 | $44,130 – $75,040 | 1,830 |
| Indiana | $58,410 | +15.9% | $47,419 | $45,380 – $62,970 | 2,130 |
| Maine | $57,870 | +8.8% | $45,954 | $45,180 – $63,360 | 470 |
| District of Columbia | $55,580 | +10.1% | $44,670 | $50,070 – $58,390 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $54,830 | +1.6% | $46,236 | $40,820 – $67,850 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $54,550 | +8.3% | $44,219 | $32,020 – $61,590 | 2,570 |
| Arizona | $53,870 | +10.7% | $44,327 | $39,350 – $72,140 | 3,240 |
| Vermont | $53,830 | +2.5% | $44,063 | $46,910 – $62,630 | 440 |
| Virginia | $52,940 | +3.5% | $42,487 | $39,430 – $76,170 | 3,800 |
| Wisconsin | $52,660 | +3.1% | $42,956 | $43,740 – $63,810 | 2,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,360 | +7.0% | $41,871 | $37,860 – $76,560 | 4,710 |
| Utah | $50,730 | +2.5% | $41,625 | $41,600 – $60,250 | 1,230 |
| Oklahoma | $50,300 | +15.2% | $40,878 | $37,380 – $65,400 | 1,760 |
| Minnesota | $50,200 | −4.0% | $40,625 | $43,430 – $62,480 | 2,610 |
| Idaho | $49,000 | +12.7% | $40,063 | $39,460 – $62,530 | 520 |
| North Dakota | $48,890 | +24.7% | $41,463 | $39,040 – $56,840 | 250 |
| Louisiana | $48,860 | +1.8% | $40,359 | $33,360 – $64,660 | 1,490 |
| Texas | $48,740 | −0.7% | $41,343 | $37,290 – $64,890 | 11,600 |
| Rhode Island | $48,610 | −2.6% | $40,032 | $44,550 – $64,600 | 70 |
| Florida | $48,300 | +3.6% | $40,989 | $37,070 – $71,380 | 9,130 |
| Tennessee | $47,770 | −0.8% | $40,563 | $39,530 – $58,900 | 1,970 |
| Michigan | $47,660 | +2.3% | $38,700 | $38,020 – $65,710 | 3,620 |
| Iowa | $45,890 | +14.4% | $37,961 | $35,520 – $60,730 | 1,560 |
| Montana | $45,640 | −2.4% | $37,463 | $38,920 – $57,380 | 450 |
| Wyoming | $45,630 | +3.9% | $38,844 | $39,740 – $62,940 | 130 |
| New Mexico | $45,610 | +5.0% | $37,834 | $35,460 – $48,350 | 580 |
| Georgia | $45,500 | −0.5% | $37,001 | $37,310 – $57,940 | 3,700 |
| Nebraska | $45,120 | +4.5% | $37,261 | $32,850 – $61,120 | 460 |
| North Carolina | $44,060 | +5.4% | $36,333 | $35,610 – $57,330 | 2,900 |
| South Carolina | $43,330 | +12.3% | $35,553 | $29,740 – $49,140 | 630 |
| South Dakota | $41,590 | +2.8% | $35,598 | $29,670 – $48,430 | 410 |
| Kansas | $41,340 | −7.1% | $33,890 | $29,290 – $50,800 | 430 |
| West Virginia | $39,260 | −13.6% | $32,651 | $30,710 – $49,430 | 520 |
| Mississippi | $38,570 | +2.6% | $32,360 | $30,210 – $44,630 | 400 |
| Alabama | $37,700 | +1.1% | $30,852 | $29,640 – $46,680 | 960 |
| Arkansas | $37,520 | +1.6% | $31,077 | $29,550 – $56,140 | 570 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,920 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.7% |
| Taxi Driver | $42,100 | No formal educational credential | +11.5% |
| Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur | $37,290 | No formal educational credential | +7.1% |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $58,640 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.8% |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,860 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.3% |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.9% |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $37,180 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $35,450 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.3% |
| Traffic Technician | $59,090 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $58,870 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus drivers, transit and intercity make?
The national median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity is $59,050 a year ($28.39 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,030 and the top 10% earn over $84,700. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays bus drivers, transit and intercity the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $84,480. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity are there in the U.S.?
About 159,240 people work as bus drivers, transit and intercity nationwide.