Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in New Mexico
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in New Mexico earn a median of $45,610 a year ($21.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,350 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $59,050. New Mexico ranks 41st of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay. There are 0.67 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $42,900, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| 25th percentile | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Median | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| 75th percentile | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,350 | $23.24 |
| Average (mean) | $42,900 | $20.62 |
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 | $3,800.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,900.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,754.23 |
| Weekly | $877.12 |
| Hourly | $21.93 |
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 New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $46,900 | 90 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $46,510 | 200 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $46,430 | 100 |
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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,360 | $20.37 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,830 | $17.22 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $55,790 | $26.82 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $47,660 | $22.92 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $78,010 | $37.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in New Mexico is $45,610 a year, or $21.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in New Mexico earn at least $48,350 a year. The top 25% earn $46,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,460 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $38,420 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in New Mexico?
About 580 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.