Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in 2026

    SOC: 53-3052.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $57,440
    per year
    Salary Range
    $38K – $83K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    148,980
    employed
    Job Growth
    +4.3%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercitys Make?

    Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercitys earn a median annual salary of $57,440 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,250 at the 10th percentile to $82,640 at the 90th percentile — a range of $44,390. The highest-paying state is New York at $82,420.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$38,250
    25th percentile$46,050
    Median (50th)$57,440
    75th percentile$69,090
    90th percentile$82,640
    10th: $38,250Median: $57,44090th: $82,640
    Section 02

    Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    New Yorktop$82,420
    Washington$70,360
    Illinois$69,950
    Maryland$69,440
    Hawaii$69,090
    Oregon$62,900
    Massachusetts$62,870
    California$62,430
    Alaska$62,300
    New Jersey$62,200
    Colorado$61,310
    Connecticut$56,870
    Ohio$54,360
    Missouri$54,090
    New Hampshire$53,990
    Maine$53,180
    Delaware$52,770
    Vermont$52,520
    Minnesota$52,290
    Virginia$51,140
    Wisconsin$51,100
    District of Columbia$50,470
    Indiana$50,400
    Kentucky$50,360
    Rhode Island$49,920
    Utah$49,500
    Texas$49,070
    Arizona$48,660
    Tennessee$48,140
    Pennsylvania$48,010
    Louisiana$48,000
    Montana$46,760
    Florida$46,640
    Michigan$46,590
    Georgia$45,750
    West Virginia$45,440
    Kansas$44,480
    Wyoming$43,910
    Oklahoma$43,660
    Idaho$43,490
    New Mexico$43,450
    Nebraska$43,160
    Nevada$42,800
    North Carolina$41,790
    South Dakota$40,470
    Iowa$40,110
    North Dakota$39,220
    South Carolina$38,580
    Mississippi$37,610
    Alabama$37,300
    Arkansas$36,940
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercitys

    New York
    Highest paying
    $82,420
    top metro salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
    $81,400
    $-1,020 vs highest
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
    $80,870
    $-1,550 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $79,440
    $-2,980 vs highest
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
    $78,220
    $-4,200 vs highest
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
    $77,130
    $-5,290 vs highest
    Columbus, OH
    $72,480
    $-9,940 vs highest
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ
    $70,700
    $-11,720 vs highest
    Section 04

    Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$38,250 – $46,050
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$57,440
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$69,090
    Senior (15+ yrs)$82,640+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercitys in New York earn $82,420 — $24,980 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($69,090) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercitythis career$57,440
    Transit and Railroad Police$82,320
    Baggage Porters and Bellhop$36,020
    Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$41,460
    Dispatcher$48,880

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    PathScorer compares your skills to Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 53-3052.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.