Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Salinas, CA
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $71,290 a year ($34.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,410 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $59,050. Pay here is 6% higher than the California statewide median of $67,130. There are 0.96 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,690, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| 25th percentile | $71,290 | $34.27 |
| Median | $71,290 | $34.27 |
| 75th percentile | $71,290 | $34.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,410 | $36.25 |
| Average (mean) | $69,690 | $33.51 |
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 | $5,940.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,970.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,741.92 |
| Weekly | $1,370.96 |
| Hourly | $34.27 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $78,900 | 5,540 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $70,680 | 810 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $68,020 | 10,140 |
| Fresno, CA | $62,170 | n/a |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,290 | 1,720 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $60,320 | 180 |
| Napa, CA | $59,560 | 170 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $57,780 | 370 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $56,940 | 1,550 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $54,140 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $53,560 | 190 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $49,000 | 330 |
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 |
See Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $53,390 | $25.67 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,210 | $20.77 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $71,140 | $34.20 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,110 | $18.81 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,080 | $27.92 |
| Parking Attendant | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $42,090 | $20.24 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
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 Salinas, CA?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Salinas, CA metro area is $71,290 a year, or $34.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $75,410 a year. The top 25% earn $71,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,380 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $71,290 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Salinas, CA?
About 180 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.