Bus Drivers, School salary in South Carolina
Bus Drivers, School in South Carolina earn a median of $39,900 a year ($19.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,150 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $47,920. South Carolina ranks 43rd of 51 states for bus drivers, school pay. There are 2.6 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,640, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,640 | $11.37 |
| 25th percentile | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| Median | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| 75th percentile | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,150 | $27.48 |
| Average (mean) | $39,640 | $19.06 |
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 | $3,325 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,662.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,534.62 |
| Weekly | $767.31 |
| Hourly | $19.18 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $46,460 | 950 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,020 | 3,970 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $45,630 | 370 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $43,940 | n/a |
| Columbia, SC | $36,960 | 990 |
| Florence, SC | $35,460 | 310 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $31,650 | 140 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $30,070 | 350 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $21,220 | 460 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,240 | $10.69 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $27,840 | $13.38 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $34,880 | $16.77 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in South Carolina is $39,900 a year, or $19.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in South Carolina earn at least $57,150 a year. The top 25% earn $46,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,640 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $30,070 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in South Carolina?
About 5,900 bus drivers, school are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.