Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in New York
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in New York earn a median of $84,480 a year ($40.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,700 for the top 10%. That is 43% higher than the national median of $59,050. New York ranks 1st of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.7 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,560, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| 25th percentile | $64,590 | $31.06 |
| Median | $84,480 | $40.61 |
| 75th percentile | $84,700 | $40.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,700 | $40.72 |
| Average (mean) | $74,560 | $35.84 |
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 | $7,040 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,520 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,249.23 |
| Weekly | $1,624.62 |
| Hourly | $40.61 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $78,130 | 19,770 |
| Rochester, NY | $62,420 | 460 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $60,620 | 70 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,490 | 340 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $52,000 | 170 |
| Syracuse, NY | $51,210 | 50 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $50,220 | 150 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,730 | $20.54 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $38,950 | $18.72 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Taxi Driver | $41,570 | $19.98 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,300 | $32.36 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in New York is $84,480 a year, or $40.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in New York?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in New York earn at least $84,700 a year. The top 25% earn $84,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,610 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $64,590 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in New York?
About 16,770 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.