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Commercial Bus Driver Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Commercial Bus Driver in the United States is $40,099 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,282
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37,353 to $42,812
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,852
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Commercial Bus Driver Salaries

A Commercial 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Commercial Bus Driver Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Commercial 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $39,451
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $39,909
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $41,029
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $41,725
  • Expert (over 8 years): $41,812
Levels Salary
Entry Level Commercial Bus Driver$39,451
Intermediate Level Commercial Bus Driver$39,909
Senior Level Commercial Bus Driver$41,029
Specialist Level Commercial Bus Driver$41,725
Expert Level Commercial Bus Driver$41,812
View as Graph

How Do Commercial 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 Commercial Bus Drivers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $44,398.
  • California: $44,230.
  • Massachusetts: $43,640.

Top Paying Cities for Commercial 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: $50,577
  • San Francisco: $50,024
  • Oakland: $48,969

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Flexibility (Mentioned in 7.26% Job Postings): Adapting, responding to, and dealing with the changing environment and new situations.
  • Cash Handling (Mentioned in 9.88% Job Postings): Process of receiving and giving money in a business. In retail, cash handling ranges from the point of sale to the behind-the-scenes money management during the day.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.85% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Flexibility 7.26%
Cash Handling 9.88%
Accounting 1.85%
See More Skills

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 Commercial Bus Driver's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Results Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $46,515
16%
Commitment $44,911
12%
Results Oriented $43,708
9%
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Commercial Bus Driver Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Commercial Bus Driver roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Commercial Bus Driver positions in Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Commercial Bus Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Commercial Bus Driver

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$48,119$23.020%

How Education impacts a Commercial Bus Driver's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Commercial Bus Drivers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Commercial Bus Driver with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $35,318 and $37,543).

Commercial Bus Driver Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Commercial Bus Driver
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 40.1%
Associates 19.4%
Bachelors 36.6%
Masters 3.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Commercial 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 October 01, 2026
$37,353
Average $40,099/year
$42,812
$3,113
Average $3,342/month
$3,568
$718
Average $771/week
$823
$18
Average $19/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,812 $3,568 $823 $21
Average $40,099 $3,342 $771 $19
25th Percentile $37,353 $3,113 $718 $18

Most common benefits for Commercial Bus Driver

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Commercial Bus Driver

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

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FAQ about Commercial Bus Driver

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

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Commercial Bus Driver roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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