Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Illinois
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Illinois earn a median of $65,200 a year ($31.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,990 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $59,050. Illinois ranks 8th of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay. There are 1.4 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| 25th percentile | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Median | $65,200 | $31.35 |
| 75th percentile | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Average (mean) | $67,480 | $32.44 |
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 | $5,433.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,716.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,507.69 |
| Weekly | $1,253.85 |
| Hourly | $31.35 |
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 cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $65,200 | 7,080 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,080 | 1,110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $57,500 | 70 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $51,010 | 390 |
| Peoria, IL | $50,930 | 210 |
| Rockford, IL | $48,200 | 190 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Taxi Driver | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,930 | $17.27 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Illinois is $65,200 a year, or $31.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Illinois?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in Illinois earn at least $85,990 a year. The top 25% earn $85,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,270 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $57,430 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Illinois?
About 8,650 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.