Bus Drivers, School salary in Arkansas
Bus Drivers, School in Arkansas earn a median of $45,500 a year ($21.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,300 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $47,920. Arkansas ranks 35th of 51 states for bus drivers, school pay. There are 3.3 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,410, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,080 | $11.58 |
| 25th percentile | $29,980 | $14.42 |
| Median | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| 75th percentile | $54,170 | $26.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,300 | $30.43 |
| Average (mean) | $44,410 | $21.35 |
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 | $3,791.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,895.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,750 |
| Weekly | $875 |
| Hourly | $21.87 |
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 Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $47,120 | 590 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $46,790 | 210 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $46,040 | 80 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $40,720 | 260 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $39,830 | 990 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $37,920 | 1,150 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $23,100 | 240 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,550 | $24.79 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,820 | $19.14 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $37,520 | $18.04 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $56,810 | $27.31 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $35,640 | $17.13 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in Arkansas is $45,500 a year, or $21.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in Arkansas earn at least $63,300 a year. The top 25% earn $54,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,080 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $29,980 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Arkansas?
About 4,340 bus drivers, school are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.