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Transit bus operator salary
Average transit bus operator salary
$37,749
Understanding the Transit Bus Operator Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Transit Bus Operator in the United States stands at $37,749 annually, translating to about $18 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on geographic location, years of experience, and the specific employer. For instance, metropolitan areas often offer higher wages due to the increased cost of living and demand for skilled operators.
Salary by State
Investigating salaries by state reveals disparities that can impact your earning potential. States such as California, New York, and Texas tend to offer higher compensation compared to others. Understanding these variances can help you make informed decisions about relocation or job applications.
Job Opportunities
In addition to salary, consider the job outlook for Transit Bus Operators. Opportunities abound in urban centers and regions investing in public transportation infrastructure. Employers may offer benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, enhancing the overall compensation package. Explore job openings in your area to find the best fit for your skills and career aspirations.
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Where can a Transit Bus Operator earn more?
Average transit bus operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for transit bus operators are New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The lowest average transit bus operator salary states are New Mexico, Florida, and Texas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for transit bus operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $44,441 | $21.37 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $44,163 | $21.23 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $43,444 | $20.89 |
| 4 | Vermont | $41,816 | $20.10 |
| 5 | Nevada | $41,525 | $19.96 |
| 6 | Kansas | $40,223 | $19.34 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $41,695 | $20.05 |
| 8 | Montana | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| 9 | Michigan | $40,394 | $19.42 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $41,648 | $20.02 |
| 11 | Maine | $41,572 | $19.99 |
| 12 | Alaska | $40,699 | $19.57 |
| 13 | Washington | $42,747 | $20.55 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $42,019 | $20.20 |
| 15 | Oregon | $39,705 | $19.09 |
| 16 | New York | $40,844 | $19.64 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $37,975 | $18.26 |
| 18 | Idaho | $39,176 | $18.83 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $39,747 | $19.11 |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $39,215 | $18.85 |
| 22 | Louisiana | $37,991 | $18.26 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| 24 | West Virginia | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| 25 | Illinois | $38,031 | $18.28 |
| 26 | Ohio | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 27 | Indiana | $36,785 | $17.69 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $37,519 | $18.04 |
| 29 | Arizona | $37,318 | $17.94 |
| 30 | Colorado | $38,939 | $18.72 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $36,753 | $17.67 |
| 32 | Maryland | $38,725 | $18.62 |
| 33 | Georgia | $36,978 | $17.78 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $36,084 | $17.35 |
| 35 | California | $39,232 | $18.86 |
| 36 | Missouri | $35,111 | $16.88 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $35,896 | $17.26 |
| 38 | Alabama | $36,352 | $17.48 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $36,595 | $17.59 |
| 40 | Utah | $36,941 | $17.76 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $34,257 | $16.47 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $34,735 | $16.70 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $33,346 | $16.03 |
| 44 | Iowa | $31,771 | $15.27 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $32,951 | $15.84 |
| 46 | Delaware | $35,449 | $17.04 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $33,487 | $16.10 |
| 48 | Texas | $33,177 | $15.95 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $33,278 | $16.00 |
| 50 | Florida | $33,271 | $16.00 |
| 51 | Virginia | $32,472 | $15.61 |
Highest paying cities for transit bus operators
The highest-paying cities for transit bus operators are Memphis, TN, Las Vegas, NV, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis, TN | $41,658 | $20.03 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $41,389 | $19.90 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $40,729 | $19.58 |
| 4 | Olathe, KS | $40,228 | $19.34 |
| 5 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $39,485 | $18.98 |
| 6 | Pueblo, CO | $38,897 | $18.70 |
| 7 | Rock Hill, SC | $37,615 | $18.08 |
| 8 | Starkville, MS | $35,983 | $17.30 |
| 9 | North Little Rock, AR | $35,893 | $17.26 |
| 10 | Oklahoma City, OK | $33,480 | $16.10 |
| 11 | Fort Myers, FL | $33,363 | $16.04 |
| 12 | Longview, TX | $32,940 | $15.84 |
| 13 | Harrisonburg, VA | $32,489 | $15.62 |
Transit bus operator salary details
A transit bus operator's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a transit bus operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $37,749 | $3,146 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying transit bus operator jobs
The highest paying types of transit bus operators are interstate bus driver, coach operator, and truck operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Driver | $36,879 | $3,073 | $17.73 | 359,229 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Transit Driver | $36,195 | $3,016 | $17.40 | 362,919 |
| Truck Operator | $39,608 | $3,301 | $19.04 | 667,980 |
| Bus Operator | $37,374 | $3,115 | $17.97 | 65,075 |
Top companies hiring transit bus operators now:
Which companies pay transit bus operators the most?
Transit bus operator salaries at University of California and Lockheed Martin are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average transit bus operator salary at companies like Transdev Services, Inc. and First Transit are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California | $43,446 | $20.89 |
| 2 | Lockheed Martin | $41,267 | $19.84 |
| 3 | Transdev Services, Inc. | $38,461 | $18.49 |
| 4 | First Transit | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| 5 | City of Pueblo | $38,175 | $18.35 |
| 6 | Mississippi State University | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| 7 | Freedom Park | $37,909 | $18.23 |
| 8 | City of San Luis Obispo | $37,328 | $17.95 |
| 9 | Rock Hill Schools | $36,439 | $17.52 |
| 10 | City of Rock Hill | $35,969 | $17.29 |
| 11 | Lee County | $35,787 | $17.21 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Transit Bus Operator salary by industry
The average transit bus operator salary varies across industries:
- The average transit bus operator salary in the real estate industry is $39,446, the highest of any industry.
- The average transit bus operator salary in the finance industry is $39,152.
- Transit bus operators in the manufacturing industry earn an average salary of $38,121, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for transit bus operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Estate | $39,446 | $18.96 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $39,152 | $18.82 |
| 3 | Transportation | $38,906 | $18.70 |
| 4 | Government | $38,214 | $18.37 |
| 5 | Manufacturing | $38,121 | $18.33 |
High paying transit bus operator jobs
Transit bus operator salary trends
The average transit bus operator salary has risen by $8,444 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average transit bus operator earned $29,305 annually, but today, they earn $37,749 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for transit bus operators over the last decade.
Compare transit bus operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average transit bus operator salary over time
Compare transit bus operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Transit bus operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,700 | $18.15 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | $35,800 | $17.23 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $34,500 | $16.60 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $33,500 | $16.08 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $32,600 | $15.69 | +3.8% |
Recently added transit bus operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Greeley | Transit Bus Operator | Greeley, CO | 06/29/2025 | $44,954 |
| The City of Rock Hill | Transit Bus Operator | Rock Hill, SC | 06/24/2025 | $40,905 |
| MSP Metropolitan Council | Metro Transit Bus Operator | Saint Paul, MN | 06/08/2025 | $60,189 |
| Transdevna | Public Transit Bus Operator | Santa Rosa, CA | 05/30/2025 | $58,540 |
| Town of Jackson, Wy | Start BUS: Commuter Transit Operator for Teton Valley Service | Jackson, WY | 05/18/2025 | $56,160 |
| MSP Metropolitan Council | Metro Transit Bus Operator Weekday | Saint Paul, MN | 05/17/2025 | $60,189 |
| Metropolitan Council | Metro Transit Bus Operator Weekday | Saint Paul, MN | 05/03/2025 | $60,189 |
| City of Greeley | Transit Bus Operator | Greeley, CO | 04/28/2025 | $44,954 |
| Town of Jackson, Wy | Start BUS: Transit Operator | Jackson, WY | 04/22/2025 | $54,828 |
| MSP Metropolitan Council | Metro Transit Bus Operator | Saint Paul, MN | 04/15/2025 | $60,189 |
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