Bus Drivers, School salary in Columbia, SC
Bus Drivers, School in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $36,960 a year ($17.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 990 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,150 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 7% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $39,900. There are 2.5 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| 25th percentile | $30,630 | $14.73 |
| Median | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| 75th percentile | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,150 | $27.48 |
| Average (mean) | $40,540 | $19.49 |
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 | $3,080 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,540 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,421.54 |
| Weekly | $710.77 |
| Hourly | $17.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $46,460 | 950 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,020 | 3,970 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $45,630 | 370 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $43,940 | n/a |
| Florence, SC | $35,460 | 310 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $31,650 | 140 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $30,070 | 350 |
| 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,280 | $24.65 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $44,750 | $21.51 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Parking Attendant | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $34,800 | $16.73 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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, SC?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Columbia, SC metro area is $36,960 a year, or $17.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $57,150 a year. The top 25% earn $48,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,790 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $30,630 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Columbia, SC?
About 990 bus drivers, school are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.