Bus Drivers, School salary in Columbia, MO
Bus Drivers, School in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $44,090 a year ($21.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,860 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 6% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $46,880. There are 5.3 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,740 | $17.67 |
| 25th percentile | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Median | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| 75th percentile | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,860 | $25.89 |
| Average (mean) | $44,800 | $21.54 |
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 | $3,674.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,837.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,695.77 |
| Weekly | $847.88 |
| Hourly | $21.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $48,110 | 2,530 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,100 | 4,470 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $47,550 | 70 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $47,040 | 130 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $46,330 | 220 |
| Springfield, MO | $45,970 | 280 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $43,490 | 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 |
See Bus Drivers, School pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $52,820 | $25.39 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,710 | $20.53 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $35,600 | $17.12 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,070 | $18.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,030 | $15.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $41,650 | $20.03 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,050 | $14.93 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Columbia, MO metro area is $44,090 a year, or $21.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $53,860 a year. The top 25% earn $46,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,740 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $44,090 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Columbia, MO?
About 580 bus drivers, school are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.