Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in South Dakota
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in South Dakota earn a median of $41,590 a year ($19.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,430 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $59,050. South Dakota ranks 46th of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay. There are 0.90 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,670 | $14.27 |
| 25th percentile | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Median | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| 75th percentile | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Average (mean) | $41,720 | $20.06 |
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 | $3,465.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,732.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,599.62 |
| Weekly | $799.81 |
| Hourly | $19.99 |
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 South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $45,450 | 130 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,720 | 70 |
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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $29,190 | $14.04 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in South Dakota is $41,590 a year, or $19.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in South Dakota earn at least $48,430 a year. The top 25% earn $46,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,670 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $37,960 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in South Dakota?
About 410 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.