Bus Drivers, School salary in Kankakee, IL
Bus Drivers, School in the Kankakee, IL metro area earn a median of $44,870 a year ($21.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,250 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 9% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $49,090. There are 3.9 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Kankakee, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,600 | $16.16 |
| 25th percentile | $42,360 | $20.37 |
| Median | $44,870 | $21.57 |
| 75th percentile | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| Average (mean) | $47,080 | $22.64 |
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 | $3,739.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,869.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,725.77 |
| Weekly | $862.88 |
| Hourly | $21.57 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $54,830 | n/a |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,180 | 15,210 |
| Peoria, IL | $48,100 | 620 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,100 | 4,470 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $47,550 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,720 | 490 |
| Springfield, IL | $46,450 | 370 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,560 | 460 |
| Bloomington, IL | $45,500 | 280 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $45,240 | 280 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37,750 | 130 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kankakee, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $46,750 | $22.48 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,030 | $20.21 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $32,280 | $15.52 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $33,110 | $15.92 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,370 | $15.56 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,270 | $15.03 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kankakee, IL
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 Kankakee, IL?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Kankakee, IL metro area is $44,870 a year, or $21.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Kankakee, IL?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Kankakee, IL metro area earn at least $59,250 a year. The top 25% earn $53,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Kankakee, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,600 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $42,360 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Kankakee, IL?
About 160 bus drivers, school are employed in the Kankakee, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.