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As of October 2025, the average salary for a bus attendant is approximately $27,387 annually, which translates to about $13 per hour. This role is crucial in ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers, especially in public transport systems.
Bus attendant salaries can vary significantly based on location. States like California and New York often offer higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for services. For instance, bus attendants in these states may earn upwards of $30,000 annually.
Experience also plays a critical role in determining salary. Entry-level bus attendants typically start at lower wages, with opportunities for advancement leading to higher pay. Those with several years of experience can expect salaries closer to the upper range, enhancing their earning potential.
For those interested in pursuing a career as a bus attendant, numerous opportunities are available across various transit agencies and private companies. Understanding salary expectations and factors influencing pay can assist job seekers in making informed career choices.
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The highest-paying states for bus attendants are Washington, Tennessee, and Alaska. The lowest average bus attendant salary states are Florida, Hawaii, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $33,068 | $15.90 |
| 2 | Kansas | $31,308 | $15.05 |
| 3 | Missouri | $31,000 | $14.90 |
| 4 | Tennessee | $33,902 | $16.30 |
| 5 | Oregon | $31,173 | $14.99 |
| 6 | Washington | $34,874 | $16.77 |
| 7 | Illinois | $31,706 | $15.24 |
| 8 | Montana | $26,381 | $12.68 |
| 9 | Utah | $27,937 | $13.43 |
| 10 | Maine | $30,282 | $14.56 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $26,848 | $12.91 |
| 12 | Kentucky | $27,972 | $13.45 |
| 13 | Idaho | $28,939 | $13.91 |
| 14 | Colorado | $27,444 | $13.19 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $28,141 | $13.53 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $26,234 | $12.61 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $27,626 | $13.28 |
| 18 | Arkansas | $27,081 | $13.02 |
| 19 | Iowa | $26,613 | $12.79 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $26,052 | $12.53 |
| 21 | Indiana | $25,622 | $12.32 |
| 22 | Vermont | $25,230 | $12.13 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $25,020 | $12.03 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $25,986 | $12.49 |
| 25 | New York | $26,732 | $12.85 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $27,048 | $13.00 |
| 27 | Nevada | $23,687 | $11.39 |
| 28 | California | $27,821 | $13.38 |
| 29 | Arizona | $23,619 | $11.36 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $25,514 | $12.27 |
| 31 | Maryland | $26,061 | $12.53 |
| 32 | Connecticut | $24,261 | $11.66 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $25,671 | $12.34 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $23,060 | $11.09 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $23,265 | $11.19 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $24,281 | $11.67 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $24,115 | $11.59 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $23,612 | $11.35 |
| 39 | Texas | $22,783 | $10.95 |
| 40 | Delaware | $24,868 | $11.96 |
| 41 | Florida | $21,699 | $10.43 |
| 42 | Ohio | $21,803 | $10.48 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $22,839 | $10.98 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $22,075 | $10.61 |
| 45 | Michigan | $20,792 | $10.00 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $21,545 | $10.36 |
| 47 | District of Columbia | $24,222 | $11.65 |
| 48 | Virginia | $22,579 | $10.86 |
| 49 | Georgia | $20,843 | $10.02 |
| 50 | Alabama | $20,803 | $10.00 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $19,917 | $9.58 |
The highest-paying cities for bus attendants are Kennewick, WA, Columbia, TN, and Normal, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $34,649 | $16.66 |
| 2 | Columbia, TN | $33,847 | $16.27 |
| 3 | Normal, IL | $31,404 | $15.10 |
| 4 | West Sacramento, CA | $28,654 | $13.78 |
| 5 | Bowling Green, KY | $27,704 | $13.32 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $27,463 | $13.20 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $27,081 | $13.02 |
| 8 | Clarence, NY | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| 9 | Dubuque, IA | $26,685 | $12.83 |
| 10 | Oklahoma City, OK | $25,972 | $12.49 |
| 11 | Albuquerque, NM | $24,441 | $11.75 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $23,653 | $11.37 |
| 13 | Fort Worth, TX | $23,075 | $11.09 |
| 14 | Sarasota, FL | $21,691 | $10.43 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $21,645 | $10.41 |
A bus attendant's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $33,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 75th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| Average | $27,387 | $2,282 | $13 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
The highest paying types of bus attendants are light rail controller, passenger representative, and traveling passenger agent.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship Steward | $31,683 | $2,640 | $15.23 | 42,173 |
| Bus Monitor | $26,958 | $2,246 | $12.96 | 11,422 |
| Attendant | $27,453 | $2,288 | $13.20 | 52,299 |
Top companies hiring bus attendants now:
Bus attendant salaries at Boston Public Schools and Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average bus attendant salary at companies like CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION and First Transit are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Public Schools | $36,858 | $17.72 |
| 2 | Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES | $36,503 | $17.55 |
| 3 | CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION | $27,965 | $13.44 |
| 4 | First Transit | $27,634 | $13.29 |
| 5 | First Student | $27,601 | $13.27 |
| 6 | Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authorty | $27,472 | $13.21 |
| 7 | Marriott International | $27,010 | $12.99 |
| 8 | Sage Hospitality Group | $26,957 | $12.96 |
| 9 | Bruce Transportation Group | $26,935 | $12.95 |
| 10 | ABM Industries | $26,818 | $12.89 |
| 11 | San Juan Unified School District | $26,801 | $12.89 |
| 12 | Sacramento City Unified School District | $26,799 | $12.88 |
| 13 | Hampton Jitney | $26,596 | $12.79 |
| 14 | WKYU | $26,585 | $12.78 |
| 15 | Elk Grove Unified School District | $26,562 | $12.77 |
| 16 | Grossmont College | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| 17 | Natomas Schools Foundation | $26,275 | $12.63 |
| 18 | North Arlington School District Nj | $25,609 | $12.31 |
| 19 | Lodi Unified School District | $25,301 | $12.16 |
| 20 | Cleveland Metropolitan School District | $24,803 | $11.92 |
The average bus attendant salary has risen by $6,778 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average bus attendant earned $20,609 annually, but today, they earn $27,387 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for bus attendants over the last decade.
Compare bus attendant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare bus attendant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,400 | $13.17 | +7.6% |
| 2024 | $25,300 | $12.16 | -0.7% |
| 2023 | $25,500 | $12.25 | -4.0% |
| 2022 | $26,500 | $12.74 | +6.4% |
| 2021 | $24,800 | $11.93 | +0.5% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott International | V's Restaurant Bus Attendant | Denver, CO | 06/29/2025 | $40,258 |
| Sitio de Experiencia de Candidatos | V's Restaurant Bus Attendant | Denver, CO | 06/29/2025 | $40,258 |
| Sitio de Experiencia de Candidatos | Bus Attendant | San Francisco, CA | 06/29/2025 | $54,492 |
| Gobeacon | Bus Attendant | Cleveland, NY | 06/28/2025 | $35,562 |
| Hacienda La Puente Unified School District | Bus Attendant | Whittier, CA | 06/27/2025 | $43,347 |
| Regional Transit Service | RTS Wayne Bus Attendant | Lyons, NY | 06/26/2025 | $33,392 |
| St. Tammany Parish Public Schools | Bus Attendant (Route #378-East-2 Positions Available | Covington, LA | 06/24/2025 | $21,402 |
| Bob Hope School | Bus Attendant/Aide-Beaumont Campus | Beaumont, TX | 06/24/2025 | $25,044 |
| Sitio de Experiencia de Candidatos | Bus Attendant | Chicago, IL | 06/23/2025 | $32,244 |
| Jackson County ISD | Bus Attendants | Jackson, MI | 06/22/2025 | $37,837 |
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