Bus Drivers, School salary in Knoxville, TN
Bus Drivers, School in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $31,340 a year ($15.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,980 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 30% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $44,510. There are 1.7 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $36,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,740 | $12.38 |
| 25th percentile | $27,220 | $13.09 |
| Median | $31,340 | $15.07 |
| 75th percentile | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Average (mean) | $36,390 | $17.49 |
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 | $2,611.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,305.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,205.38 |
| Weekly | $602.69 |
| Hourly | $15.07 |
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 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,820 | 450 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $42,460 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $41,590 | 280 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $37,920 | 1,150 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,620 | 410 |
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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,100 | $28.41 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,400 | $15.09 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $30,410 | $14.62 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,160 | $28.93 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,410 | $17.50 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $34,390 | $16.54 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $31,340 a year, or $15.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $48,980 a year. The top 25% earn $48,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,740 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $27,220 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Knoxville, TN?
About 730 bus drivers, school are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.