Bus Drivers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Bus Drivers in the United States earn a median salary of $59,050 per year — about $28 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 546K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +1%.
AI & Automation Risk
While autonomous driving technology is a direct long-term threat to the core task of vehicle operation, the role involves significant physical and interpersonal responsibilities that AI cannot yet replicate. School bus drivers must manage student behavior and safety, while transit and charter drivers assist passengers with disabilities and handle physical luggage, creating a substantial barrier to full automation in the near term.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NVBEST VALUE | $90,460 | Average (100.2) | $90,266 |
| Columbus, OH | $73,790 | Below avg (95.5) | $77,292 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,170 | Above avg (105.4) | $76,047 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $83,430 | Above avg (111.1) | $75,072 |
| Akron, OH | $70,000 | Below avg (93.4) | $74,971 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $67,420 | Below avg (92.7) | $72,734 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $70,700 | Average (98.9) | $71,517 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $78,130 | Above avg (112.6) | $69,410 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $60,620 | Below avg (87.7) | $69,130 |
| Springfield, MA | $65,770 | Below avg (96.1) | $68,467 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $78,900 | Above avg (115.6) | $68,245 |
| Lincoln, NE | $61,120 | Below avg (91.6) | $66,739 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $70,680 | Above avg (106.7) | $66,260 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,100 | Below avg (93.1) | $65,647 |
| Salinas, CA | $71,290 | Above avg (109.0) | $65,378 |