Public Transit Bus Driver Salary in the United States

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Transit Bus Driver in the United States is $49,850 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,643
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,941 to $53,929
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,472
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View as table View as graph 25% $44,941 10% $40,472 90% $57,643 75% $53,929 $49,850 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Public Transit Bus Driver Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $53,929 $4,494 $1,037 $26
Average $49,850 $4,154 $959 $24
25th Percentile $44,941 $3,745 $864 $22
Check out Public Transit Bus Driver Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Public Transit Bus Driver Salaries

A Public 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.

How Do Public Transit Bus Driver Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Public Transit Bus Drivers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $55,194.
  • California: $54,985.
  • Massachusetts: $54,252.

Top Paying Cities for Public 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: $62,876
  • San Francisco: $62,258
  • Oakland: $60,877

What Skills Can Increase a Public 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 Public 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
$59,322
19%
Waste Management
$58,823
18%
Container
$56,829
14%
Logistics
$56,331
13%
Service Delivery
$54,337
9%
Customer Satisfaction
$53,838
8%
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Public Transit Bus Driver Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Public 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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Public Transit Bus Driver

Salaries for a Public Transit Bus Driver can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $56,476 in 2023 to around $54,661 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Public Transit Bus Driver salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Public Transit Bus Driver Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$56,476
2024
$55,372
2025
$54,661
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $56,476
2024 $55,372
2025 $54,661
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Public Transit Bus Driver

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

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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.)

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