Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Washington
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Washington earn a median of $72,280 a year ($34.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,180 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $59,050. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.0 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| 25th percentile | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Median | $72,280 | $34.75 |
| 75th percentile | $93,180 | $44.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,180 | $44.80 |
| Average (mean) | $73,650 | $35.41 |
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 | $6,023.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,011.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,780 |
| Weekly | $1,390 |
| Hourly | $34.75 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $83,430 | 4,430 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,170 | 2,130 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $65,360 | 250 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $61,250 | 420 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,760 | $31.13 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $41,570 | $19.98 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $59,730 | $28.72 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $40,070 | $19.26 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $74,620 | $35.88 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $229,900 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Washington is $72,280 a year, or $34.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Washington?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in Washington earn at least $93,180 a year. The top 25% earn $93,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,520 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $61,770 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Washington?
About 6,960 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.