Transit Bus Driver Salary in the United States

How much does a Transit Bus Driver make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Transit Bus Driver in the United States is $48,452 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Transit Bus Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,265
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,033 to $52,542
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,099
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,033 10% $38,099 90% $56,265 75% $52,542 $48,452 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Transit Bus Driver Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $52,542 $4,378 $1,010 $25
Average $48,452 $4,038 $932 $23
25th Percentile $43,033 $3,586 $828 $21
Check out Transit Bus Driver Job Openings in the United States
Bus Driver

Trilogy Healthcare Services - Columbus, OH

Bus Driver

Trilogy Health Services - Columbus, OH

Bus Driver

Educational Service Center of Central Ohio - Columbus, OH

Bus Driver

Franklin County DD - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Transit Bus Driver Salaries

A Transit Bus Driver's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Transit Bus Drivers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $61,112
  • San Francisco: $60,443
  • Oakland: $59,169

What Skills Can Increase a Transit Bus Driver's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 19.59% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Logistics (Mentioned in 3.14% Job Postings): In a general business sense, logistics is the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of customers or corporations.
  • Waste Management (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): The collection, transportation, handling, and disposal process of dealing with removal of human waste.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 19.59%
Logistics 3.14%
Waste Management 1.62%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Transit Bus Driver's salary.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Waste Management: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Container: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Products and Services
$57,658
19%
Waste Management
$57,173
18%
Container
$55,235
14%
Logistics
$54,751
13%
Service Delivery
$52,813
9%
Customer Satisfaction
$52,328
8%
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Transit Bus Driver Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Transit Bus Driver roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 48% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 28% above the average. In contrast, Transit Bus Driver positions in Financial Services or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Transit Bus Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Transit Bus Driver

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$62,018$30.028%
Internet$60,565$29.025%
Energy & Utilities$55,720$27.015%
Aerospace & Defense$54,266$26.012%
Insurance$53,297$26.010%

Transit Bus Driver Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Transit Bus Driver's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Transit Bus Driver

Salaries for a Transit Bus Driver can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $56,517 in 2023 to around $54,701 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Transit Bus Driver salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Transit Bus Driver Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$56,517
2024
$55,412
2025
$54,701
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $56,517
2024 $55,412
2025 $54,701
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Transit Bus Driver

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Transit Bus Driver

Here are companies hiring for Transit Bus Driver and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Transit Bus Driver Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Transit Bus Driver job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Great Oaks Career Campuses

    Columbus, OH

    Great Oaks Career Campuses | Columbus, OH

    Bus Driver. To safely drive a school vehicle transporting students to and from school, sporting events and educational activities. Qualifications. High sch... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools

    Columbus, OH

    Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools | Columbus, OH

    Job Title. Position details: 185 days/year 5.5 paid hours/day Salary range for external candidates: $25.50 - $27.70/hour more

    7 Days Ago

  • Educational Service Center of Central Ohio

    Columbus, OH

    Educational Service Center of Central Ohio | Columbus, OH

    Job Title. Position details: 185 days/year 5.5 paid hours/day Salary range for external candidates: $25.50 - $27.70/hour more

    9 Days Ago

  • Universal Transportation Systems

    Columbus, OH

    Universal Transportation Systems | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Universal Transportation Systems is NOW HIRING. Guaranteed 7 hours each day worked. Do you have experience driving a yell... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Universal Transportation Systs

    Columbus, OH

    Universal Transportation Systs | Columbus, OH

    UTS is NOW HIRING. Guaranteed 7 hours each day workedDo you have experience driving a yellow school bus. $22.00- $30.00+/hour based on years of experience ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Arch Express

    Columbus, OH

    Arch Express | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. A CDL with passenger endorsement is required. Once you get that from the BMV then we will have a job for you. Thank You. ... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Transit Bus Driver

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Transit Bus Driver?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Transit Bus Driver roles, with salaries approximately 28% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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