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In the transportation sector, Coach Operators play a vital role in facilitating public transit. The average salary for a Coach Operator as of October 2025 is $44,612 annually, equating to roughly $21 per hour. This figure may vary significantly based on experience, geographic location, and the specific industry.
Regions with higher demand often offer more competitive salaries. For instance, states like California and New York typically provide higher wages due to their larger urban populations and extensive public transit systems. On the contrary, rural areas might present lower salary averages.
Experience is a key determinant of salary. Entry-level Coach Operators may start at lower rates, while those with several years in the field can expect higher compensation. Additionally, working for a larger company or in a specialized industry can also enhance earnings. Understanding these dynamics is essential for aspiring Coach Operators to navigate their career paths effectively.
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The average coach operator salary in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average coach operator salary states are Iowa, Missouri, and New Mexico.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $52,984 | $25.47 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $46,985 | $22.59 |
| 3 | New York | $47,556 | $22.86 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $41,923 | $20.16 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $42,524 | $20.44 |
| 6 | Michigan | $40,657 | $19.55 |
| 7 | Nevada | $43,341 | $20.84 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $40,245 | $19.35 |
| 9 | Montana | $39,132 | $18.81 |
| 10 | Oregon | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $44,981 | $21.63 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $45,109 | $21.69 |
| 13 | Delaware | $43,442 | $20.89 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $40,399 | $19.42 |
| 15 | Idaho | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| 16 | Tennessee | $41,868 | $20.13 |
| 17 | Kansas | $37,781 | $18.16 |
| 18 | California | $45,888 | $22.06 |
| 19 | Maryland | $45,085 | $21.68 |
| 20 | Texas | $42,473 | $20.42 |
| 21 | Alaska | $39,738 | $19.10 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $38,082 | $18.31 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $38,374 | $18.45 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $38,126 | $18.33 |
| 25 | West Virginia | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $38,103 | $18.32 |
| 27 | Arizona | $38,237 | $18.38 |
| 28 | Ohio | $37,417 | $17.99 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $37,419 | $17.99 |
| 30 | Vermont | $38,991 | $18.75 |
| 31 | Alabama | $38,364 | $18.44 |
| 32 | Iowa | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| 33 | Indiana | $36,275 | $17.44 |
| 34 | Utah | $36,977 | $17.78 |
| 35 | Maine | $38,435 | $18.48 |
| 36 | Illinois | $37,416 | $17.99 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $38,084 | $18.31 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $36,046 | $17.33 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $38,113 | $18.32 |
| 40 | Georgia | $38,917 | $18.71 |
| 41 | Virginia | $40,831 | $19.63 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $37,029 | $17.80 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $36,803 | $17.69 |
| 45 | Wyoming | $33,098 | $15.91 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $36,002 | $17.31 |
| 47 | Florida | $36,443 | $17.52 |
| 48 | Missouri | $34,477 | $16.58 |
| 49 | Colorado | $33,422 | $16.07 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $34,464 | $16.57 |
| 51 | Washington | $33,107 | $15.92 |
The highest-paying cities for coach operators are Hayward, CA, Baltimore, MD, and Metairie, LA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hayward, CA | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| 2 | Baltimore, MD | $45,657 | $21.95 |
| 3 | Metairie, LA | $43,571 | $20.95 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $43,486 | $20.91 |
| 5 | Corvallis, OR | $42,709 | $20.53 |
| 6 | Memphis, TN | $41,976 | $20.18 |
| 7 | Dearborn, MI | $40,710 | $19.57 |
| 8 | Billings, MT | $38,934 | $18.72 |
| 9 | Amarillo, TX | $38,918 | $18.71 |
| 10 | Charleston, SC | $38,678 | $18.60 |
| 11 | Duluth, GA | $38,424 | $18.47 |
| 12 | Wilson, NC | $38,306 | $18.42 |
| 13 | Mesa, AZ | $38,271 | $18.40 |
| 14 | Topeka, KS | $37,758 | $18.15 |
| 15 | Vernon Hills, IL | $37,574 | $18.06 |
| 16 | Blaine, MN | $37,501 | $18.03 |
| 17 | Goshen, IN | $36,762 | $17.67 |
| 18 | Brandon, FL | $36,729 | $17.66 |
| 19 | Bellevue, NE | $36,012 | $17.31 |
| 20 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,611 | $17.12 |
A coach operator's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $69,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| Average | $44,612 | $3,718 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
The highest paying types of coach operators are interstate bus driver, motor coach operator, and transit operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Driver | $36,195 | $3,016 | $17.40 | 362,919 |
| Bus Operator | $37,374 | $3,115 | $17.97 | 65,075 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
Top companies hiring coach operators now:
Coach operator salaries at Bank of America and Baptist Health South Florida are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average coach operator salary at companies like Merck and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bank of America | $106,113 | $51.02 |
| 2 | Baptist Health Home Care | $100,427 | $48.28 |
| 3 | Merck | $87,241 | $41.94 |
| 4 | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $87,119 | $41.88 |
| 5 | Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. | $83,253 | $40.03 |
| 6 | Cummins | $76,511 | $36.78 |
| 7 | Trane | $75,459 | $36.28 |
| 8 | Panda Express | $75,288 | $36.20 |
| 9 | Ameriprise Financial | $69,344 | $33.34 |
| 10 | Cumberland Farms | $63,869 | $30.71 |
| 11 | Walmart | $59,724 | $28.71 |
| 12 | Call | $57,411 | $27.60 |
| 13 | Driven Brands | $57,099 | $27.45 |
| 14 | Cargill | $41,642 | $20.02 |
| 15 | Coach USA | $38,490 | $18.50 |
| 16 | Spokane Transit Authority | $38,447 | $18.48 |
| 17 | Intercity Transit | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| 18 | IndyGo | $38,157 | $18.34 |
| 19 | DISH Network | $38,028 | $18.28 |
| 20 | Fort Valley State University | $36,677 | $17.63 |
The average coach operator salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | $62,006 | $29.81 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $41,436 | $19.92 |
| 3 | Government | $39,701 | $19.09 |
| 4 | Transportation | $38,605 | $18.56 |
The average coach operator salary has risen by $9,979 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average coach operator earned $34,633 annually, but today, they earn $44,612 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for coach operators over the last decade.
Compare coach operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare coach operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,600 | $21.45 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | $42,400 | $20.37 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $40,800 | $19.61 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $39,500 | $19.01 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $38,600 | $18.55 | +3.8% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wal-Mart | (USA) Asset Protection Operations Coach | Jonesboro, AR | 06/29/2025 | $65,000 |
| Wal-Mart | (USA) Coach/Ops MGR Trainee | Sterling Heights, MI | 06/28/2025 | $65,219 |
| Walmart | (USA) Coach/Ops MGR Trainee | Memphis, TN | 06/28/2025 | $65,219 |
| Wal-Mart | (USA) Asset Protection Operations Coach | Albany, GA | 06/27/2025 | $65,000 |
| Walmart | (USA) Coach/Ops MGR Trainee | Kansas City, MO | 06/27/2025 | $65,219 |
| Walmart | (USA) Coach/Ops MGR Trainee | Virginia Beach, VA | 06/27/2025 | $65,219 |
| Walmart | (USA) Coach/Ops MGR Trainee | Omaha, NE | 06/26/2025 | $65,219 |
| Wal-Mart | (USA) Coach/Ops MGR Trainee | Montgomery, AL | 06/26/2025 | $65,219 |
| Walmart | Coach/Ops MGR Trainee | Phoenix, AZ | 06/25/2025 | $65,219 |
| My Ride To Work | Coach Operator (CDL + Passenger Endorsement Required) | Fallon, NV | 06/25/2025 | $48,001 |
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