Bus Drivers, School salary in Alabama
Bus Drivers, School in Alabama earn a median of $17,630 a year ($8.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $16,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $21,580 for the top 10%. That is 63% lower than the national median of $47,920. Alabama ranks 51st of 51 states for bus drivers, school pay. There are 4.9 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $19,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,560 | $7.96 |
| 25th percentile | $17,040 | $8.19 |
| Median | $17,630 | $8.48 |
| 75th percentile | $18,750 | $9.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $21,580 | $10.37 |
| Average (mean) | $19,190 | $9.23 |
Half of bus drivers, school earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $1,469.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $734.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $678.08 |
| Weekly | $339.04 |
| Hourly | $8.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bus Drivers, School salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $44,950 | 510 |
| Huntsville, AL | $18,750 | 1,170 |
| Birmingham, AL | $18,260 | 1,700 |
| Mobile, AL | $18,000 | 770 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $17,840 | 270 |
| Decatur, AL | $17,720 | 320 |
| Montgomery, AL | $17,490 | 470 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $17,260 | 290 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $17,130 | 680 |
| Dothan, AL | $16,970 | 310 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $16,570 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for bus drivers, school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $65,170 |
| Washington | $63,370 |
| Connecticut | $61,520 |
| California | $61,040 |
| New Jersey | $59,430 |
| Hawaii | $59,090 |
| Rhode Island | $58,700 |
| New York | $56,640 |
| Vermont | $56,580 |
| Maryland | $56,450 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,490 | $18.50 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,960 | $14.89 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $24,420 | $11.74 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,290 | $16.48 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,770 | $15.28 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,360 | $14.11 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,240 | $22.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus drivers, school make in Alabama?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in Alabama is $17,630 a year, or $8.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $16,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $21,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Alabama?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in Alabama earn at least $21,580 a year. The top 25% earn $18,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16,560 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $17,040 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Alabama?
About 10,410 bus drivers, school are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.