Bus Drivers, School salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Bus Drivers, School in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $46,760 a year ($22.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,150 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 2% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $46,050. There are 1.3 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $47,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| 25th percentile | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| Median | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| 75th percentile | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,150 | $26.51 |
| Average (mean) | $47,000 | $22.59 |
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 | $3,896.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,948.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,798.46 |
| Weekly | $899.23 |
| Hourly | $22.48 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $46,460 | 140 |
| Tucson, AZ | $43,990 | 810 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $40,710 | 140 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $40,660 | 170 |
| Yuma, AZ | $39,210 | 100 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $38,570 | 170 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,770 | $28.74 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,520 | $18.04 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $56,880 | $27.35 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,620 | $17.12 |
| Flight Attendant | $61,780 | — |
| Parking Attendant | $35,100 | $16.88 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $46,760 a year, or $22.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $55,150 a year. The top 25% earn $49,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,270 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $43,870 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 3,020 bus drivers, school are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.