Bus Drivers, School salary in Ames, IA
Bus Drivers, School in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $54,780 a year ($26.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,320 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 18% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $46,320. There are 3.9 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 25th percentile | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Median | $54,780 | $26.34 |
| 75th percentile | $77,530 | $37.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,320 | $45.83 |
| Average (mean) | $61,390 | $29.51 |
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 | $4,565 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,282.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,106.92 |
| Weekly | $1,053.46 |
| Hourly | $26.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bus Drivers, School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $50,850 | 1,390 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,760 | 250 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,530 | 190 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,100 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,720 | 490 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $46,220 | 340 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $46,210 | 860 |
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 |
See Bus Drivers, School pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $54,510 | $26.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $40,050 | $19.25 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,670 | $15.23 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,280 | $19.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,270 | $28.02 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,070 | $14.94 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Ames, IA metro area is $54,780 a year, or $26.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $95,320 a year. The top 25% earn $77,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,850 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $46,590 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Ames, IA?
About 220 bus drivers, school are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.