Bus drivers, transit and intercity salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,030 | $19.25 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| Mean (average) | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| 90th percentile | $84,700 | $40.72 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Bus drivers, transit and intercity pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 52 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,700 | $29,640 | $46,680 | 960 | 0.44 |
| Alaska | $64,150 | $46,960 | $76,230 | 250 | 0.75 |
| Arizona | $53,870 | $39,350 | $72,140 | 3,240 | 0.98 |
| Arkansas | $37,520 | $29,550 | $56,140 | 570 | 0.43 |
| California | $67,130 | $48,600 | $90,810 | 24,380 | 1.31 |
| Colorado | $63,010 | $50,870 | $71,090 | 3,540 | 1.2 |
| Connecticut | $60,100 | $44,130 | $75,040 | 1,830 | 1.05 |
| Delaware | $60,510 | $39,390 | $65,710 | 380 | 0.77 |
| District of Columbia | $55,580 | $50,070 | $58,390 | 150 | 0.2 |
| Florida | $48,300 | $37,070 | $71,380 | 9,130 | 0.9 |
| Georgia | $45,500 | $37,310 | $57,940 | 3,700 | 0.74 |
| Hawaii | $68,500 | $46,870 | $68,500 | 2,190 | 3.41 |
| Idaho | $49,000 | $39,460 | $62,530 | 520 | 0.6 |
| Illinois | $65,200 | $47,270 | $85,990 | 8,650 | 1.38 |
| Indiana | $58,410 | $45,380 | $62,970 | 2,130 | 0.65 |
| Iowa | $45,890 | $35,520 | $60,730 | 1,560 | 0.98 |
| Kansas | $41,340 | $29,290 | $50,800 | 430 | 0.29 |
| Kentucky | $54,550 | $32,020 | $61,590 | 2,570 | 1.26 |
| Louisiana | $48,860 | $33,360 | $64,660 | 1,490 | 0.75 |
| Maine | $57,870 | $45,180 | $63,360 | 470 | 0.71 |
| Maryland | $65,220 | $46,770 | $92,320 | 4,890 | 1.73 |
| Massachusetts | $65,460 | $50,380 | $93,500 | 3,970 | 1.07 |
| Michigan | $47,660 | $38,020 | $65,710 | 3,620 | 0.8 |
| Minnesota | $50,200 | $43,430 | $62,480 | 2,610 | 0.86 |
| Mississippi | $38,570 | $30,210 | $44,630 | 400 | 0.33 |
| Missouri | $60,660 | $39,030 | $67,040 | 1,860 | 0.62 |
| Montana | $45,640 | $38,920 | $57,380 | 450 | 0.85 |
| Nebraska | $45,120 | $32,850 | $61,120 | 460 | 0.44 |
| Nevada | $61,700 | $43,590 | $90,540 | 2,540 | 1.6 |
| New Hampshire | $54,830 | $40,820 | $67,850 | 300 | 0.43 |
| New Jersey | $61,140 | $48,340 | $70,700 | 6,420 | 1.46 |
| New Mexico | $45,610 | $35,460 | $48,350 | 580 | 0.66 |
| New York | $84,480 | $57,610 | $84,700 | 16,770 | 1.69 |
| North Carolina | $44,060 | $35,610 | $57,330 | 2,900 | 0.57 |
| North Dakota | $48,890 | $39,040 | $56,840 | 250 | 0.57 |
| Ohio | $62,760 | $40,660 | $74,270 | 4,000 | 0.7 |
| Oklahoma | $50,300 | $37,380 | $65,400 | 1,760 | 1.01 |
| Oregon | $65,510 | $47,100 | $81,110 | 2,620 | 1.3 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,360 | $37,860 | $76,560 | 4,710 | 0.76 |
| Puerto Rico | $32,230 | $23,030 | $37,220 | 510 | 0.53 |
| Rhode Island | $48,610 | $44,550 | $64,600 | 70 | 0.13 |
| South Carolina | $43,330 | $29,740 | $49,140 | 630 | 0.27 |
| South Dakota | $41,590 | $29,670 | $48,430 | 410 | 0.88 |
| Tennessee | $47,770 | $39,530 | $58,900 | 1,970 | 0.59 |
| Texas | $48,740 | $37,290 | $64,890 | 11,600 | 0.81 |
| Utah | $50,730 | $41,600 | $60,250 | 1,230 | 0.69 |
| Vermont | $53,830 | $46,910 | $62,630 | 440 | 1.42 |
| Virginia | $52,940 | $39,430 | $76,170 | 3,800 | 0.9 |
| Washington | $72,280 | $55,520 | $93,180 | 6,960 | 1.92 |
| West Virginia | $39,260 | $30,710 | $49,430 | 520 | 0.72 |
| Wisconsin | $52,660 | $43,740 | $63,810 | 2,220 | 0.74 |
| Wyoming | $45,630 | $39,740 | $62,940 | 130 | 0.44 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 21,100. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 1.7%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Drive vehicles over specified routes or to specified destinations according to time schedules, complying with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride.
- Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
- Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
- Announce stops to passengers.
- Assist passengers, such as elderly or individuals with disabilities, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
- Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
- Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.
- Report delays or accidents.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- AOL MapQuest
- Microsoft MapPoint
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Service Orientation, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making.
Common job titles: Bus Driver, Bus Operator, Charter Bus Driver, Coach Operator, Motor Coach Driver, Motor Coach Operator, Transit Bus Driver, Transit Coach Operator, Transit Driver, Transit Operator.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do bus drivers, transit and intercity make?
The national median annual wage for bus drivers, transit and intercity was $59,050 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $40,030 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $84,700. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do bus drivers, transit and intercity need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is bus drivers, transit and intercity a growing career?
BLS projects employment of bus drivers, transit and intercity to change +4.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 21,100 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay bus drivers, transit and intercity the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were New York ($84,480), Washington ($72,280), Hawaii ($68,500). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.