Bus Drivers, School salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Bus Drivers, School in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $37,920 a year ($18.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,190 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 15% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $44,510. There are 1.9 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $39,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,540 | $11.32 |
| 25th percentile | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Median | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| 75th percentile | $50,880 | $24.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,190 | $24.61 |
| Average (mean) | $39,240 | $18.86 |
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 | $3,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,580 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,458.46 |
| Weekly | $729.23 |
| Hourly | $18.23 |
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 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $47,120 | 590 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $46,790 | 210 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $46,040 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $42,460 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $41,590 | 280 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $40,720 | 260 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $39,830 | 990 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $37,130 | 590 |
| Jackson, MS | $36,310 | 750 |
| Knoxville, TN | $31,340 | 730 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,620 | 410 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $23,100 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,350 | $23.25 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,610 | $19.52 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $35,600 | $17.12 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $47,580 | $22.88 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,540 | $21.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,350 | $29.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,100 | $16.39 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $44,470 | $21.38 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $37,920 a year, or $18.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $51,190 a year. The top 25% earn $50,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,540 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $27,870 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 1,150 bus drivers, school are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.