Bus Drivers (School) Salary by State
The national median pay for bus drivers (school) is $47,920 a year. By state, it ranges from $17,630 in Alabama to $65,170 in Massachusetts.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $29,240
- 25th percentile
- $38,650
- Median
- $47,920
- 75th percentile
- $58,430
- Top 10%
- $65,730
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 402,930 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $65,170 | +36% | $44,530 | $71,980 | 9,330 |
| 2 | Washington | $63,370 | +32% | $49,670 | $75,530 | 9,660 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $61,520 | +28% | $45,830 | $65,090 | 7,970 |
| 4 | California | $61,040 | +27% | $45,870 | $73,680 | 16,600 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $59,430 | +24% | $46,640 | $71,520 | 13,670 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $59,090 | +23% | $45,760 | $73,970 | 630 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $58,700 | +22% | $47,780 | $67,180 | 1,800 |
| 8 | New York | $56,640 | +18% | $46,270 | $76,070 | 38,320 |
| 9 | Vermont | $56,580 | +18% | $39,840 | $61,970 | 860 |
| 10 | Maryland | $56,450 | +18% | $38,280 | $63,950 | 9,020 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $55,450 | +16% | $51,850 | $55,480 | 510 |
| 12 | Alaska | $54,200 | +13% | $36,470 | $59,910 | 790 |
| 13 | Utah | $52,890 | +10% | $37,010 | $69,110 | 1,920 |
| 14 | Colorado | $52,620 | +10% | $40,640 | $70,540 | 3,840 |
| 15 | Oregon | $51,270 | +7% | $45,830 | $67,260 | 5,210 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $50,990 | +6% | $36,030 | $60,650 | 2,040 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $50,790 | +6% | $43,780 | $81,220 | 1,530 |
| 18 | Virginia | $50,190 | +5% | $38,830 | $67,060 | 12,930 |
| 19 | Illinois | $49,090 | +2% | $38,310 | $62,560 | 21,230 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $48,940 | +2% | $36,580 | $62,170 | 13,110 |
| 21 | Maine | $48,640 | +2% | $39,050 | $58,590 | 1,670 |
| 22 | Indiana | $48,020 | 0% | $22,900 | $65,240 | 11,780 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $47,760 | 0% | $36,800 | $58,340 | 2,330 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $47,760 | 0% | $38,930 | $62,780 | 7,840 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $47,530 | −1% | $34,950 | $60,660 | 23,670 |
| 26 | Missouri | $46,880 | −2% | $33,980 | $58,730 | 8,970 |
| 27 | Michigan | $46,380 | −3% | $37,860 | $54,500 | 8,780 |
| 28 | Iowa | $46,320 | −3% | $28,440 | $63,200 | 4,840 |
| 29 | Idaho | $46,250 | −3% | $36,380 | $56,410 | 2,960 |
| 30 | Montana | $46,220 | −4% | $36,120 | $57,870 | 1,630 |
| 31 | Arizona | $46,050 | −4% | $37,370 | $52,870 | 5,020 |
| 32 | Kansas | $45,860 | −4% | $33,570 | $55,810 | 4,830 |
| 33 | Ohio | $45,860 | −4% | $30,100 | $60,070 | 5,540 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $45,520 | −5% | $38,830 | $56,130 | 1,360 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $45,500 | −5% | $24,080 | $63,300 | 4,340 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $45,470 | −5% | $31,020 | $65,140 | 1,870 |
| 37 | Georgia | $44,950 | −6% | $20,740 | $62,060 | 16,880 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $44,830 | −6% | $36,760 | $63,470 | 6,820 |
| 39 | Florida | $44,690 | −7% | $35,510 | $54,840 | 13,470 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $44,510 | −7% | $22,900 | $61,600 | 7,050 |
| 41 | Texas | $44,490 | −7% | $23,690 | $60,740 | 37,550 |
| 42 | Delaware | $42,390 | −12% | $36,380 | $60,910 | 1,350 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $39,900 | −17% | $23,640 | $57,150 | 5,900 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $39,730 | −17% | $33,480 | $50,530 | 1,290 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $37,460 | −22% | $32,270 | $46,960 | 12,390 |
| 46 | Nevada | $37,280 | −22% | $37,280 | $50,310 | 2,590 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $36,920 | −23% | $20,850 | $48,110 | 3,710 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $33,360 | −30% | $29,610 | $36,670 | 4,690 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $30,640 | −36% | $18,680 | $47,300 | 3,790 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $29,450 | −39% | $21,000 | $50,750 | 6,670 |
| 51 | Alabama | $17,630 | −63% | $16,560 | $21,580 | 10,410 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Bus Drivers (School) salary questions
Which state pays bus drivers (school) the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $65,170 a year (+36% vs. the national median of $47,920). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays bus drivers (school) the least?
Alabama, with a median of $17,630 a year (−63% vs. national).
Where do most bus drivers (school) work?
New York has the most jobs, about 38,320, with a median of $56,640.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.