School Bus Monitor Salary in Indianapolis, IN
School Bus Monitors in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $33,590 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,208 take-home, or $2,351 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median school bus monitor salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,851
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,083
- Medicare (1.45%)$487
- Indiana income tax$961
- Take-home pay$28,208
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
School Bus Monitor pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,360 | $14.12 | $24,934 | $2,078 |
| 25th percentile | $31,050 | $14.93 | $26,242 | $2,187 |
| Median (50th) | $33,590 | $16.15 | $28,208 | $2,351 |
| 75th percentile | $36,260 | $17.43 | $30,275 | $2,523 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,570 | $18.06 | $31,289 | $2,607 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,590 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median school bus monitor's $28,208 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,477 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Indianapolis, IN has 1.4× the national concentration of school bus monitor jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for school bus monitors, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #11 of 27 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $41,720 | $34,365 | $31,561 |
| 2 | Syracuse, NY | $35,950 | $29,722 | $31,043 |
| 3 | St. Louis, MO | $34,880 | $29,504 | $31,028 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $34,970 | $29,205 | $30,849 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $38,670 | $32,001 | $30,529 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $38,590 | $31,718 | $30,356 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $36,240 | $30,009 | $29,920 |
| 8 | Buffalo, NY | $34,460 | $28,605 | $29,845 |
| 11 | Indianapolis, IN | $33,590 | $28,208 | $29,477 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 27 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school bus monitor make in Indianapolis, IN?
The median school bus monitor salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $33,590 a year, or about $16.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,050 and $36,260.
What is a school bus monitor’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $33,590 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $28,208 a year ($2,351 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $961 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a school bus monitor?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $35,100. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,477 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #11 of 27 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a school bus monitor afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median school bus monitor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Indianapolis, IN
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $98,890
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $97,590
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $83,110
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $76,730
- Firefighter — $68,480
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $65,060
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $48,340
- Security Guard — $36,490
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $36,450
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $28,810