Bus Drivers, School salary in Tennessee
Bus Drivers, School in Tennessee earn a median of $44,510 a year ($21.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,600 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $47,920. Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for bus drivers, school pay. There are 2.1 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,400, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| 25th percentile | $27,650 | $13.29 |
| Median | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| 75th percentile | $51,150 | $24.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,600 | $29.62 |
| Average (mean) | $43,400 | $20.86 |
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 | $3,709.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,854.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,711.92 |
| Weekly | $855.96 |
| Hourly | $21.40 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $51,600 | 1,880 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,820 | 450 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $42,460 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $41,590 | 280 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $37,920 | 1,150 |
| Knoxville, TN | $31,340 | 730 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,620 | 410 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $33,550 | $16.13 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $35,740 | $17.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $31,970 | $15.37 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in Tennessee is $44,510 a year, or $21.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in Tennessee earn at least $61,600 a year. The top 25% earn $51,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,900 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $27,650 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Tennessee?
About 7,050 bus drivers, school are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.