Bus Drivers, School salary in North Carolina
Bus Drivers, School in North Carolina earn a median of $37,460 a year ($18.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,960 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $47,920. North Carolina ranks 45th of 51 states for bus drivers, school pay. There are 2.5 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,270 | $15.51 |
| 25th percentile | $35,370 | $17.01 |
| Median | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 75th percentile | $44,480 | $21.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Average (mean) | $39,250 | $18.87 |
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 | $3,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,560.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,440.77 |
| Weekly | $720.38 |
| Hourly | $18.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bus Drivers, School salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $50,190 | 2,390 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,020 | 3,970 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $40,650 | 500 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $40,600 | 270 |
| Asheville, NC | $38,620 | 260 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $38,530 | 2,120 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $37,280 | 1,030 |
| Burlington, NC | $36,990 | 70 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $36,970 | 250 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $36,820 | 630 |
| Greenville, NC | $36,500 | 190 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36,490 | 140 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $35,790 | 60 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $35,190 | 130 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $35,050 | 450 |
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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Taxi Driver | $36,950 | $17.77 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $32,450 | $15.60 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,470 | $16.09 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in North Carolina is $37,460 a year, or $18.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in North Carolina earn at least $46,960 a year. The top 25% earn $44,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,270 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $35,370 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in North Carolina?
About 12,390 bus drivers, school are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.