Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Tennessee
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Tennessee earn a median of $47,770 a year ($22.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,900 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $59,050. Tennessee ranks 36th of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay. There are 0.60 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $51,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,530 | $19.01 |
| 25th percentile | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Median | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| 75th percentile | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Average (mean) | $51,770 | $24.89 |
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 | $3,980.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,990.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,837.31 |
| Weekly | $918.65 |
| Hourly | $22.97 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $52,100 | 1,160 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,580 | 290 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,190 | 70 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $45,700 | 120 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $33,550 | $16.13 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $35,740 | $17.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $31,970 | $15.37 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Tennessee is $47,770 a year, or $22.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in Tennessee earn at least $58,900 a year. The top 25% earn $58,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,530 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $45,480 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Tennessee?
About 1,970 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.