Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Iowa
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Iowa earn a median of $45,890 a year ($22.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,730 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $59,050. Iowa ranks 38th of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay. There are 1.0 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| 25th percentile | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Median | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| 75th percentile | $54,450 | $26.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Average (mean) | $46,150 | $22.19 |
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 | $3,824.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,912.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,765 |
| Weekly | $882.50 |
| Hourly | $22.06 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $58,930 | 290 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $57,500 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $52,950 | 130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,590 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $46,740 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,720 | 70 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $32,580 | $15.66 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,850 | $23.97 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Iowa is $45,890 a year, or $22.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Iowa?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in Iowa earn at least $60,730 a year. The top 25% earn $54,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,520 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $36,720 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Iowa?
About 1,560 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.