Bus Drivers, School salary in Columbus, OH
Bus Drivers, School in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $47,380 a year ($22.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,170 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 3% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $45,860. There are 0.82 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $49,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| 25th percentile | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| Median | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| 75th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,170 | $44.31 |
| Average (mean) | $49,580 | $23.84 |
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 | $3,948.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,974.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,822.31 |
| Weekly | $911.15 |
| Hourly | $22.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,870 | 2,530 |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,780 | 790 |
| Akron, OH | $45,440 | 190 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $45,200 | 220 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $42,890 | 200 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $35,350 | 160 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $34,450 | 170 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,050 | 520 |
| Toledo, OH | $33,810 | 60 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $27,070 | 70 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,720 | $29.68 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,800 | $21.06 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $73,790 | $35.47 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $30,860 | $14.84 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,200 | $19.81 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Commercial Pilot | $175,690 | — |
| Parking Attendant | $29,960 | $14.40 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Columbus, OH metro area is $47,380 a year, or $22.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $92,170 a year. The top 25% earn $48,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,120 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $35,290 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Columbus, OH?
About 910 bus drivers, school are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.