Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Career, Salary and Skills
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $59,050 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 159,240. Wage data is published for 223 locations.
Occupation description
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
O*NET code
53-3052.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$59,050
Hourly median
$28.39
Employment
159,240
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.88 | 3.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.62 | 3.00 |
| Time Management | 3.12 | 2.75 |
| Active Listening | 3.12 | 2.75 |
| Service Orientation | 3.12 | 2.62 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.12 | 2.75 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 2.38 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 2.50 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 2.25 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.75 | 2.38 |
Typical tasks
- Drive vehicles over specified routes or to specified destinations according to time schedules, complying with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride.
- Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
- Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
- Announce stops to passengers.
- Assist passengers, such as elderly or individuals with disabilities, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
- Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
- Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.
- Report delays or accidents.
Technology
- AOL MapQuest
- Microsoft MapPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Web browser software
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in CAMedian $67,130 · Employment 24,380
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in New York, NYMedian $78,130 · Employment 19,770
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in NYMedian $84,480 · Employment 16,770
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in TXMedian $48,740 · Employment 11,600
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $68,020 · Employment 10,140
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in FLMedian $48,300 · Employment 9,130
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in ILMedian $65,200 · Employment 8,650
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $65,200 · Employment 7,080
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in WAMedian $72,280 · Employment 6,960
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in NJMedian $61,140 · Employment 6,420
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in San Francisco, CAMedian $78,900 · Employment 5,540
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in MDMedian $65,220 · Employment 4,890
Related careers
- Airfield Operations SpecialistsNational median $56,850
- Air Traffic ControllersNational median $148,080
- Transit and Railroad PoliceNational median $90,230
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive FirersNational median $68,840
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and HostlersNational median $60,600
- Flight AttendantsNational median $63,580
- Baggage Porters and BellhopsNational median $37,080
- Parking AttendantsNational median $35,150
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.