Bus Drivers, School salary in Salem, OR
Bus Drivers, School in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $51,570 a year ($24.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,580 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 1% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $51,270. There are 4.2 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| 25th percentile | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Median | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| 75th percentile | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Average (mean) | $53,180 | $25.57 |
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 | $4,297.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,148.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,983.46 |
| Weekly | $991.73 |
| Hourly | $24.79 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $62,190 | 2,850 |
| Medford, OR | $59,850 | 270 |
| Bend, OR | $59,330 | 260 |
| Corvallis, OR | $49,030 | 100 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $48,140 | 490 |
| Albany, OR | $47,580 | 120 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $32,850 | $15.80 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $41,520 | $19.96 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,360 | $19.40 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $34,100 | $16.39 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Commercial Pilot | $125,120 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Salem, OR metro area is $51,570 a year, or $24.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $58,580 a year. The top 25% earn $57,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,610 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $47,760 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Salem, OR?
About 790 bus drivers, school are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.