Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Kentucky
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Kentucky earn a median of $54,550 a year ($26.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,590 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $59,050. Kentucky ranks 21st of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay. There are 1.3 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,790, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,020 | $15.40 |
| 25th percentile | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Median | $54,550 | $26.22 |
| 75th percentile | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Average (mean) | $49,790 | $23.94 |
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 | $4,545.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,272.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,098.08 |
| Weekly | $1,049.04 |
| Hourly | $26.22 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,100 | 1,130 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $56,110 | 1,060 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $54,740 | 250 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $49,430 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,190 | 70 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $38,310 | 140 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,340 | $27.09 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $23,870 | $11.48 |
| Taxi Driver | $33,850 | $16.28 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $32,850 | $15.79 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $350,950 | — |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,850 | $17.72 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Kentucky is $54,550 a year, or $26.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in Kentucky earn at least $61,590 a year. The top 25% earn $61,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,020 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $38,310 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Kentucky?
About 2,570 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.