Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in San Francisco, CA
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $78,900 a year — 34% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,202 take-home, or $5,017 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus drivers, transit and intercity salary in San Francisco, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,528
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,892
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,144
- California income tax$3,108
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,026
- Take-home pay$60,202
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay by experience in San Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,980 | $27.88 | $46,485 | $3,874 |
| 25th percentile | $61,150 | $29.40 | $48,801 | $4,067 |
| Median (50th) | $78,900 | $37.93 | $60,202 | $5,017 |
| 75th percentile | $94,940 | $45.64 | $69,786 | $5,816 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,940 | $45.64 | $69,786 | $5,816 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,900 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bus drivers, transit and intercity's $60,202 take-home pay has the buying power of $52,072 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Francisco, CA has 2.3× 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
San Francisco, CA ranks #3 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.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salaries elsewhere in California
- Los Angeles, CA — $68,020
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus drivers, transit and intercity make in San Francisco, CA?
The median bus drivers, transit and intercity salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $78,900 a year, or about $37.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,150 and $94,940.
What is a bus drivers, transit and intercity’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $78,900 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $60,202 a year ($5,017 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,134 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a bus drivers, transit and intercity?
Pay here is 34% above the national median of $59,050. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $52,072 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #3 of 11 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bus drivers, transit and intercity afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median bus drivers, transit and intercity’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Francisco, CA
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