Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in North Carolina
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in North Carolina earn a median of $44,060 a year ($21.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,330 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $59,050. North Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay. There are 0.59 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $44,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| 25th percentile | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Median | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| 75th percentile | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| Average (mean) | $44,670 | $21.47 |
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 | $3,671.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,835.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,694.62 |
| Weekly | $847.31 |
| Hourly | $21.18 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $46,810 | 690 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $46,800 | 410 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,460 | 560 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,060 | 350 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,830 | 800 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Taxi Driver | $36,950 | $17.77 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $32,450 | $15.60 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,470 | $16.09 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in North Carolina is $44,060 a year, or $21.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in North Carolina earn at least $57,330 a year. The top 25% earn $46,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,610 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $39,960 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in North Carolina?
About 2,900 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.