Smart Bus Salary

How Much Does Smart Bus Pay for employees?

As of July 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Smart Bus in the United States is $38. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $78,649. Salaries at Smart Bus typically range from $33 to $43 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company. Smart Bus’s salaries are influenced by a wide range of factors including job role, department, years of experience, and location.
DISCLAIMER: The salary range presented here is an estimation that has been derived from our proprietary algorithm. It should be noted that this range does not originate from the company's factual payroll records or survey data.

How Much Does Smart Bus Pay for Different Roles?

The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for popular roles within the company, helping you benchmark potential earnings. Use 'View by Card/Table' option to find the data most relevant to your career path.

Aircraft Maintenance Technician

$50 / hour

Salary Range: $45 - $56

Shop

Maintenance Technician

$24 / hour

Salary Range: $22 - $27

IT

Account Representative

$32 / hour

Salary Range: $28 - $37

Account Management I

Accounting / AP Analyst

$33 / hour

Salary Range: $29 - $36

Financial Services

Accounts Receivable Analyst

$30 / hour

Salary Range: $26 - $35

Accounting

Accounts Receivable Customer Reconciliation Analyst

$38 / hour

Salary Range: $34 - $42

Fashion

DISCLAIMER: The salary range presented here is an estimation that has been derived from our proprietary algorithm. It should be noted that this range does not originate from the company's factual payroll records or survey data.

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Smart Bus.
Loading results...

About Smart Bus: Company Profile

Website
www.detroitcommuterchallenge.com
Founded In
Data pending, update soon.
Employees
1,000 - 3,000 employees
Industry
Transportation
Headquarter Location
DETROIT
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About SMART BUS
Transit Authority for Southeastern Michigan.

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into Smart Bus's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
The pay structure is transparent, with regular reviews and modest increases. The company also promotes from within, which is motivating. Company policies are fair and consistently applied. The company also supports professional development, offering tuition reimbursement for relevant courses.
Workloads are distributed fairly, and processes are streamlined. The company stands out for its commitment to safety and employee satisfaction. Training programs are helpful. The management is approachable and encourages professional development. Workloads are balanced, and supervisors are fair. Communication from upper management could be more frequent, but overall, it’s a stable place to work.
Workloads are predictable, and leadership communicates changes effectively. Management is transparent and communicates company goals effectively. The work is steady, and expectations are clear.
I highly recommend this workplace for professionals in the industry. The transportation sector is fast-paced, but the leadership ensures we have the support we need. The health benefits are comprehensive, adding to the overall positive work experience.
I enjoy the dynamic environment here. A reliable employer. I’ve built strong relationships here and feel valued in my role. The benefits are standard, and the work environment is professional.

Is Smart Bus’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Smart Bus’s compensation stack up against the market? This analysis visualizes their average salary compared to its industry benchmark and key peer companies.
Peer Company & Industry Benchmarking
180k
150k
120k
90k
60k
30k
0
Average Salary ($/year)
Smart Bus
Transportation
SAN DIEGO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM
BI-STATE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE MISSOURI-ILLINOIS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT (INC)
Industry Comparison
Our data shows that, on average, compensation at Smart Bus is below the average for the U.S. Transportation industry by approximately 37%. This positioning suggests their pay is below the market average within their sector.
Peer Company Comparison
To provide a broader market perspective, we compared Smart Bus average annual salary with several similar companies. Smart Bus average salary of $78,649 is lower than SAN DIEGO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM, which has an average salary of $87,202. It is lower than BI-STATE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE MISSOURI-ILLINOIS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT (INC), with their average salary at $79,166. This places Smart Bus in a developing position among its peers.
See Your True Competitors
The companies behind the question marks could be hiring your best people. Don't operate with incomplete data. Unlock your full competitive view with Salary.com for Business to precisely benchmark salaries, benefits, and more against your true competitors.

What Is the Cost of Living Near Detroit?

Understanding the cost of living near Detroit is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Smart Bus.
Detroit's Cost of Living Index is approximately 97.6 (2.4% less expensive than US average; 6.9% more than MI average). Housing varies extremely by neighborhood (very cheap to expensive gentrified), overall costs can be low. DDOT/SMART bus, QLine. When planning your budget based on a salary from Smart Bus, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $800 - $1,500+ (Highly variable) A significant portion of Smart Bus salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $250 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $70 (DDOT/SMART monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $390 - $570 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $350 - $650+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $370 - $690+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,130 - $3,660+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About Smart Bus

FAQ 1: How much does a Smart Bus employee make?
Smart Bus pays its employees an average of $38 per hour. The average salary at Smart Bus range from $33 to $43 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.
FAQ 2: Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Smart Bus?
The salary at Smart Bus is lesser than the similar company. The average annual salary at Smart Bus is $78,649, or an hourly wage of $38, in comparison to SAN DIEGO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM which pays $87,202 per year or $42 per hour.
FAQ 3: Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Smart Bus?
In many roles at Smart Bus, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.
FAQ 4: How does the cost of living near Detroit affect the perceived value of a Smart Bus salary?
Detroit's Cost of Living Index is approximately 97.6 (2.4% less expensive than US average; 6.9% more than MI average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Smart Bus based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Detroit" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.
FAQ 5: What kind of benefits does Smart Bus typically offer employees?
Smart Bus generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Smart Bus" section on this page.