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 Montana is $35,402 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 HR
AI Onboarding
Cdl Bus Driver Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $38,292 | $3,191 | $736 | $18 |
| Average | $35,402 | $2,950 | $681 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,989 | $2,749 | $634 | $16 |
LifeWise Academy - Helena, MT
Snow Country Limousine - Bozeman, MT
Jefferson Lines - Livingston, MT
Snow Country Limousine - Bozeman, MT
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 | $35,569 |
| Returns C... Level Cdl Bus Driver | $39,374 |
| Returns C... Level Cdl Bus Driver | $43,478 |
| Returns S... Level Cdl Bus Driver | $55,721 |
| Returns M... Level Cdl Bus Driver | $62,562 |
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 | $42,482 | $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 | $38,292 | $3,191 | $736 | $18 |
| Average | $35,402 | $2,950 | $681 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,989 | $2,749 | $634 | $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.
Glendive Fire Department
Glendive, MT
Glendive Fire Department | Glendive, MT
Bus Driver, Bus Aide JobID:276Position Type:TransportationDate Posted:3/30/2026Location:Glendive Public SchoolsDate Available:ImmediatelyClosing Date:open ... more
9 Days Ago
Glendive Public Schools
Glendive, MT
Glendive Public Schools | Glendive, MT
Bus Driver. Glendive Public Schools is looking for reliable and safety-focused bus drivers to transport students to and from school and activities. If you ... more
7 Days Ago
Columbia Falls School District 6
Columbia Falls, MT
Columbia Falls School District 6 | Columbia Falls, MT
School Bus Driver. Position Begins: Immediately, and follows school year calendar - approximately 180 school days per year. Hours: approximately 3 hrs/day ... more
10 Days Ago
Red Lodge School District 1
Red Lodge, MT
Red Lodge School District 1 | Red Lodge, MT
School Bus Driver. Reports To: Transportation Supervisor. Essential Functions. Drives school bus or transportation vehicle over assigned route in accordanc... more
11 Days Ago
Laurel School District
Laurel, MT
Laurel School District | Laurel, MT
Bus Driver. The Laurel School District is seeking qualified applicants for part time (0.5) Bus Driver. This is a Level VIII position, with a current starti... more
11 Days Ago
Air Controls- Billings
Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
Air Controls- Billings | Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
Job Description. Job Description. Salary. Air Controls - Billings, Inc. is Montanas premier HVAC, Plumbing, and Refrigeration service provider. We take pri... 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:
