Bus Drivers, School salary in South Dakota
Bus Drivers, School in South Dakota earn a median of $39,730 a year ($19.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,530 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $47,920. South Dakota ranks 44th of 51 states for bus drivers, school pay. There are 2.8 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,480 | $16.10 |
| 25th percentile | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Median | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| 75th percentile | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Average (mean) | $41,380 | $19.89 |
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 | $3,310.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,655.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,528.08 |
| Weekly | $764.04 |
| Hourly | $19.10 |
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 Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,760 | 250 |
| Rapid City, SD | $40,330 | 170 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $29,190 | $14.04 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in South Dakota is $39,730 a year, or $19.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in South Dakota earn at least $50,530 a year. The top 25% earn $46,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,480 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $36,980 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in South Dakota?
About 1,290 bus drivers, school are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.