Bus Drivers, School salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Bus Drivers, School in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $37,750 a year ($18.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,230 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 16% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $44,830. There are 2.6 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| 25th percentile | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Median | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 75th percentile | $46,690 | $22.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| Average (mean) | $40,790 | $19.61 |
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 | $3,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,572.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,451.92 |
| Weekly | $725.96 |
| Hourly | $18.15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $55,640 | 1,780 |
| Decatur, IL | $54,830 | n/a |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $52,260 | 680 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,180 | 15,210 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $48,110 | 270 |
| Peoria, IL | $48,100 | 620 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,100 | 4,470 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $47,550 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,870 | 2,530 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,720 | 490 |
| Springfield, IL | $46,450 | 370 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,560 | 460 |
| Bloomington, IL | $45,500 | 280 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $45,250 | 360 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $45,240 | 280 |
| Kankakee, IL | $44,870 | 160 |
| Owensboro, KY | $44,560 | 160 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,050 | 520 |
| 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,520 | $24.29 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,720 | $20.06 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,170 | $15.95 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,120 | $28.43 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,290 | $16.00 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,830 | $15.79 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $33,190 | $15.96 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-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 Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $37,750 a year, or $18.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $47,230 a year. The top 25% earn $46,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,550 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $37,550 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 130 bus drivers, school are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.