Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Columbus, OH
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $73,790 a year ($35.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,790 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $59,050. Pay here is 18% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $62,760. There are 0.63 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $65,090, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| 25th percentile | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Median | $73,790 | $35.47 |
| 75th percentile | $73,790 | $35.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,790 | $35.47 |
| Average (mean) | $65,090 | $31.29 |
Half of bus drivers, transit and intercity 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 | $6,149.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,074.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,838.08 |
| Weekly | $1,419.04 |
| Hourly | $35.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | $70,000 | 360 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $67,420 | 270 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $56,110 | 1,060 |
| Cleveland, OH | $52,610 | 1,510 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $49,430 | 60 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $48,030 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for bus drivers, transit and intercity
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $84,480 |
| Washington | $72,280 |
| Hawaii | $68,500 |
| California | $67,130 |
| Oregon | $65,510 |
| Massachusetts | $65,460 |
| Maryland | $65,220 |
| Illinois | $65,200 |
| Alaska | $64,150 |
| Colorado | $63,010 |
See Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,720 | $29.68 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,800 | $21.06 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $30,860 | $14.84 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,200 | $19.81 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Commercial Pilot | $175,690 | — |
| Parking Attendant | $29,960 | $14.40 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3052. 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, transit and intercity make in Columbus, OH?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Columbus, OH metro area is $73,790 a year, or $35.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $73,790 a year. The top 25% earn $73,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,030 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $48,250 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Columbus, OH?
About 700 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.