Bus Drivers, School salary in Rapid City, SD
Bus Drivers, School in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $40,330 a year ($19.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,540 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $39,730. There are 2.3 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| 25th percentile | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| Median | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| 75th percentile | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| Average (mean) | $43,660 | $20.99 |
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 | $3,360.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,680.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,551.15 |
| Weekly | $775.58 |
| Hourly | $19.39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,760 | 250 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $39,690 | 320 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Light Truck Driver | $43,250 | $20.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,890 | $16.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,660 | $29.17 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,800 | $13.37 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Commercial Pilot | $86,150 | — |
| Parking Attendant | $35,600 | $17.12 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $40,330 a year, or $19.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $50,540 a year. The top 25% earn $48,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,990 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $39,770 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Rapid City, SD?
About 170 bus drivers, school are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.