Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cdl Bus Driver in Kentucky is $35,285 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.
However, a Cdl Bus Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
Cdl Bus Driver Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $38,166 | $3,181 | $734 | $18 |
| Average | $35,285 | $2,940 | $679 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,881 | $2,740 | $632 | $16 |
LifeWise Academy - Edmonton, KY
LifeWise Academy - Burkesville, KY
LifeWise Academy - Benton, KY
Silverlake "The Family Place" - Erlanger, KY
A Cdl 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Cdl Bus Driver's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Cdl Bus D... Level Cdl Bus Driver | $35,452 |
| Returns C... Level Cdl Bus Driver | $39,244 |
| Returns C... Level Cdl Bus Driver | $43,335 |
| Returns S... Level Cdl Bus Driver | $55,538 |
| Returns M... Level Cdl Bus Driver | $62,356 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Cdl Bus Drivers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Cdl Bus Driver roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Cdl Bus Driver positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cdl Bus Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $42,343 | $20.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Cdl 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $38,166 | $3,181 | $734 | $18 |
| Average | $35,285 | $2,940 | $679 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,881 | $2,740 | $632 | $16 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cdl Bus Driver job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
RATP Dev USA
Bowling Green, KY
RATP Dev USA | Bowling Green, KY
Job Title. Location 304 E 11th Avenue, Suite #2, Bowling Green, KY, 42101, United States. Base Pay $15.00 - $16.50 / Year. Employee Type Non-Exempt-FT. Req... more
5 Days Ago
Paris ISD
Paris, KY
Paris ISD | Paris, KY
Bus Driver. Paris Independent School District Position Description. Under general supervision, to operate a school bus or transportation vehicle over desig... more
6 Days Ago
Henry County, KY
New Castle, KY
Henry County, KY | New Castle, KY
(Bus Driver/Substitute Bus Driver)Qualifications: Knowledge and Abilities:1. Knowledge of:Safe driving practices.Provisions of the State Motor Vehicle code... more
7 Days Ago
Sinceri Senior Living
Louisville, KY
Sinceri Senior Living | Louisville, KY
Perks and Benefits Earn up to 1% wage increase every quarter401K Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor matching contributionLength of Service Bonus Program of u... more
7 Days Ago
Powell County Schools
Stanton, KY
Powell County Schools | Stanton, KY
POSITION TITLE: Bus DriverREPORTS TO: Director of Transportation and Transportation Area AssistantBASIC FUNCTION: Operate a school bus over designated rout... more
7 Days Ago
Jefferson County Public Schools
Scottsville, KY
Jefferson County Public Schools | Scottsville, KY
Position Type:Transportation/Bus driverDate Posted:10/24/2023Location:District Wide ACS SUMMARY CLASS TITLE:BUS DRIVERBASIC FUNCTION:Operate a school bus o... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
