Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Washington, DC
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $65,220 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,791 take-home, or $4,316 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus drivers, transit and intercity salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,646
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,044
- Medicare (1.45%)$946
- District of Columbia income tax$2,793
- Take-home pay$51,791
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, Transit and Intercity pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,360 | $24.21 | $40,789 | $3,399 |
| 25th percentile | $55,260 | $26.57 | $44,432 | $3,703 |
| Median (50th) | $65,220 | $31.36 | $51,791 | $4,316 |
| 75th percentile | $81,480 | $39.17 | $62,194 | $5,183 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,320 | $44.38 | $68,898 | $5,742 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,220 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, transit and intercity's $51,791 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,566 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.3× 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
Washington, DC ranks #6 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 Washington, DC?
The median bus drivers, transit and intercity salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $65,220 a year, or about $31.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,260 and $81,480.
What is a bus drivers, transit and intercity’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $65,220 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $51,791 a year ($4,316 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,793 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC 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 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,566 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #6 of 11 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bus drivers, transit and intercity 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) — 46% 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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