Bus Drivers, School salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Bus Drivers, School in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $42,460 a year ($20.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,670 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $44,510. There are 3.2 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,250, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,600 | $11.83 |
| 25th percentile | $26,990 | $12.97 |
| Median | $42,460 | $20.42 |
| 75th percentile | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Average (mean) | $39,250 | $18.87 |
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 | $3,538.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,769.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,633.08 |
| Weekly | $816.54 |
| Hourly | $20.42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $51,600 | 1,880 |
| Hinesville, GA | $49,600 | 60 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,820 | 450 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $48,630 | 260 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $47,310 | 11,190 |
| Rome, GA | $46,890 | n/a |
| Albany, GA | $46,640 | n/a |
| Gainesville, GA | $45,590 | n/a |
| Valdosta, GA | $45,540 | 220 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $44,950 | 510 |
| Jackson, TN | $41,590 | 280 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $39,330 | 190 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $38,610 | n/a |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $37,920 | 1,150 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $35,870 | 320 |
| Knoxville, TN | $31,340 | 730 |
| Savannah, GA | $28,180 | 370 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,620 | 410 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $21,220 | 460 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,180 | $16.92 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Traffic Technician | $44,690 | $21.49 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $42,460 a year, or $20.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $49,670 a year. The top 25% earn $49,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,600 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $26,990 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 870 bus drivers, school are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.